Additional troops may arrive in Latvia this summer as part of NATO’s plans to reinforce its eastern flank, said Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece in an interview to TV3 on Tuesday, the 21st of February.
The agreement between member states provides for increasing the NATO Battle Group in Latvia to the level of a brigade.
This means 4 000 to 6 000 allied troops will be stationed in Latvia.
When asked to commend on the news about Canada and other countries lacking the troops for this, Mūrniece said last week there were active talks held with Canada about the Battle Group’s expansion. Latvia wants to seen a clear plan by the time NATO summit in Vilnius rolls out, said the minister.
These and other topics were discussed last week with Baltic, Canadian, British and German representatives.
When asked to comment on Lithuanian President’s advisor for national defence Kestutis Budrys’ prediction that Russian PMC Wagner could attack Baltic States to test the western defence mechanism, Mūrniece said «intelligence data indicates the situation is currently under control».
She also said there may be provocations from Russia.
They could be limited in scope, but «we have to be very careful». At the same time, the minister added that Russia is mostly occupied with the war in Ukraine at the moment.
Mūrniece outlined the recent visit by US President Joe Biden to Ukraine, which affirmed that US and its allies work to ensure Ukraine wins and is able to drive Russia from its territories and ensure peace in Europe.
Ukraine needs tanks and heavy artillery. Ukraine also asks for aircraft, reminds the minister. Only after Russia’s reformation will lasting peace be possible in the part of Europe Latvia is located in, said the minister.
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