Russia, significantly weakened on the battlefield in Ukraine, could resort to provocations in the region, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs warned during a state visit to Lithuania on Wednesday.
According to the Latvian president, intelligence gathered by Lithuania, Latvia and other NATO allies indicates that Russia is attempting to carry out acts of sabotage and hybrid attacks aimed at undermining regional security.
“We must be fully prepared for the phase of the war in Ukraine when Russia is no longer achieving victories and is unable to advance on the battlefield. Even if Ukraine does not secure a complete victory, Russia may seek to indirectly test Article 5 of the NATO Treaty and the decision-making mechanisms of both the Alliance and the European Union,” Rinkēvičs said.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on Tuesday confirmed reports in Western media suggesting that Russia could stage provocations in the Baltic states and Poland in an attempt to test NATO’s unity.
The Latvian president said
security services are detaining an increasing number of individuals accused of spying for or cooperating with Russia and Belarus.
“They are clearly testing our preparedness and vigilance. We must be ready to respond to new threats,” Rinkēvičs stressed.
“The next few months, or even the next 12 months, will be crucial for the security of the Baltic states. We have already witnessed hybrid operations for several years,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nausėda said that although Russia is currently incapable of launching a large-scale military operation against NATO countries, it could still plan smaller-scale but highly destructive attacks targeting critical infrastructure.
He stressed that Lithuania “must not allow the summer mood to lull it into believing that the war is happening somewhere far away.”
Earlier, the Lithuanian president said intelligence assessments indicate that possible Russian provocations could include attacks on critical regional infrastructure using both conventional and unconventional means.
Lithuania has recently strengthened security measures at key transport and energy infrastructure facilities.
Read also: Harsh but necessary – Lithuania considers reintroducing border controls with Latvia