Latvian Defense Minister fears a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine | News from Germany about Europe | Dw

Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks shares the concerns of the United States and other NATO allies over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. He stated this in an interview with DW on Tuesday, November 30.

In addition, Pabriks expressed concerns about other countries in the region – according to him, Russia continues to use its power over its neighbors. Moscow, “in essence, controls practically everything that happens in Belarus,” as it seeks to increase its influence in the region, he believes.

According to Pabriks, this means that “any challenges” can be expected from the Kremlin. “And we know,” the minister added, “that the Russian political elite is not afraid to use military force when it decides that it is necessary for current purposes.”

The Latvian Defense Minister also added that more needed to be done to help Ukraine repel the threat from Russia, and expressed support for Ukraine’s greater integration into NATO, strengthening Kiev’s ties with the European Union and strengthening the fight against corruption in the country.

Increasing the military presence of the Russian Federation near the borders of Ukraine

From the end of October, Western media began to report about Russia’s building up of its military presence along the borders of Ukraine. The last time a similar thing happened in the spring of 2021 and also caused serious concern in the world. But if the events in the spring were regarded as a show of force, then the current situation may be preparation for the actual invasion of Donbass in eastern Ukraine, the US intelligence services believe.

Moscow denies all accusations of preparing an attack on Ukraine and, on the contrary, points to the increased activity of NATO along the Russian borders.

From November 30 to December 1, a meeting of the foreign ministers of NATO countries is being held in Riga, the main topic of the meeting is the movement of Russian troops and equipment to the Ukrainian borders.

See also:

• The European Union and NATO in the post-Soviet space

  Integration into Europe

  Of the countries of the former USSR, only the Baltic countries are currently full members of the European Union: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia joined the EU on May 1, 2004. Six more countries participate in the EU’s Eastern Partnership program: three of them – Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia – have signed an association agreement with the EU.

• 

  The European Union and NATO in the post-Soviet space

  EU Eastern Partnership Program

  The Eastern Partnership program, aimed at deepening ties between the republics of the former USSR and the European Union, currently involves six post-Soviet countries – Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is noteworthy that Belarus and Armenia are simultaneously members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which also includes Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

• 

  The European Union and NATO in the post-Soviet space

  Eastern Partnership at two speeds

  Recently, the division of the Eastern Partnership countries into two groups has intensified. The first includes Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, which have signed an association agreement with the EU. In the second – Belarus, Azerbaijan and Armenia, which did not conclude such an agreement. An associated state can get duty-free access to EU markets in exchange for reforms.

• 

  The European Union and NATO in the post-Soviet space

  Who needs an EU visa

  Citizens of the Baltic states that joined the EU in 2004 enjoy the right of free movement and can work in any EU country on an equal basis with citizens of one or another EU state. Holders of Ukrainian, Moldovan or Georgian passports can visit Schengen countries without visas. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan still require a visa for these purposes.

• 

  The European Union and NATO in the post-Soviet space

  NATO integration

  Of the republics of the former USSR, only three Baltic countries are still full members of the North Atlantic Alliance. Ukraine and Georgia have been granted the status of a “graduate student”, which means that the state has officially expressed its interest in joining NATO and has received an invitation to join an intensive dialogue on membership issues

  Author: Alexandra Elkina

.