On Tuesday, 15 November, around 16:40 p.m. (Latvian time) a Russian-made missile crashed in Poland, killing two and raising suspicions of an attack on NATO member state. BNN reached out to security expert Ainars Latkovskis, who is the leader of New Unity faction in the 14th Saeima, as well as a long-standing member of the Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee. He admits he is generally calm about this incident.
The politician’s opinion of what happened in Poland was concise: «Poland has not finished its investigation yet. It could be an attack, but it could also be an accident – Poland will decide.»
According to Latkovskis, Poland will likely request assistance from other NATO member states and will use information from communication satellites. «This is the country’s objective,» the politician explained.
Article 5 of NATO treaty was not engaged after this incident. If statements from other NATO member states are any indication, the article will not be used.
Also read: PM: we follow developments in Poland; Latvia’s security situation has not changed
In his conversation with BNN, Latkovskis also stressed that the security situation in Latvia has not changed: «It remains the same it was at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.»
Latkovskis, like Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, invites Latvia’s residents to not worry too much.
Following the incident involving the Russian-made missile in Poland, Lithuania’s President suggested improving the defence of NATO’s eastern border.
Joe Biden called a meeting of leaders gathered in Bali, for a G20 summit to discuss the incident. Leaders from NATO members Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, and Britain attended, as well as non-NATO member Japan and representatives from the European Union. After the meeting Biden told that investigation is ongoing and he can’t confirm any information, but it looks like the rocket wasn’t from Russia.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, meanwhile, has announced putting country’s army on high alert. He also invited residents to stay calm.