Andžāns: Latvia must strengthen defence and take tougher decisions on Russia
Māris Andžāns, a Latvian foreign policy expert, said on a TV24 special broadcast that Latvia should keep good ties with the US but not rely solely on Washington. He also urged a faster ban on Russian grain transit and an end to trade with Russia.
Latvia should keep strengthening its defence capabilities, maintain good relations with the United States, and avoid relying only on Washington's support, while also taking firmer decisions regarding Russia. This was said on a special broadcast of the TV24 channel by Māris Andžāns, director of the Geopolitics Research Centre and associate professor at Riga Stradiņš University.
Relations with the US
Andžāns said Latvia must be cautious in its relations with US President Donald Trump. In his words, good ties with Trump matter because the president is the one who decides on deploying American troops abroad. At the same time, Latvia should not abruptly turn away from Trump and build closer relations only with the Democrats, as this could provoke the president's displeasure.
Still, US support should not be taken for granted. In the expert's view, both of Trump's presidencies have shown that one should not put all eggs in one basket. "Of course, the US is our strategic partner, the militarily strongest country in the world, but what if the US does not help? What then?" Andžāns asked.
Greater responsibility for its own security
He believes Latvia must take on more responsibility for its own security. That requires raising defence spending above 5% of gross domestic product, continuing to reinforce the eastern border and carrying out other work related to national defence.
The Russia question
The third issue Latvia should focus on is its relationship with Russia. Andžāns thinks Latvia should, as soon as possible, ban the transit of Russian grain through its territory and end trade with Russia.
He suggested that in the future a situation could arise in which Trump tries to restore relations with Russia and the US might encourage European countries to follow suit. Therefore, in the expert's opinion, Latvia should already now carefully assess its position and security interests.
