“Russia has no intention of handing over Crimea. Crimea will de facto remain part of Russia. Yes, Ukrainian politicians will continue insisting that Crimae is de jure owned by Ukraine, because a politician who says Crimea is no longer part of Ukraine, will cease being a Ukrainian politician,” said the candidate for the post of Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds.
The politician’s words were published on X (Twitter) with a rhetorical question if Latvia can afford to have such a Minister of Defence or a minister at all.
“If, in these circumstances, a person who publicly questions the international legal continuity and restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia enters a position of political leadership of the power structures, what does this show?” comments the entry’s author Ervins Krauklis.
Aizsardzības ministra kandidāts Andris Sprūds: ”Krievija nedomā Krimu atgriezt. Krima ‘de facto’ paliks ??Krievijas sastāvā. Jā, ukraiņu politiķi turpinās uzstāt, ka Krima ‘de jure‘ pieder ??Ukrainai — citādi jau viņi nebūtu Ukrainas politiķi.” https://t.co/Iymc9tWL0h pic.twitter.com/fwWdCxWcur
— Artis Schlossberg ??? (@tikums) September 6, 2023
BNN previously reported that multiple potential candidates for high posts in the new government in Latvia have started surfacing in the public space.
Chairman of Saeima’s European Affairs Committee Andris Sprūds is mentioned as a potential candidate for the post of Minister of Defence.
Also read: Combined List political party’s founder criticises New Unity for weak leadership and ambivalence