Braže: Russia Shifting to a Long-Term War Footing

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (New Unity party) said on Friday in Warsaw, Poland, that Russia is shifting to a long-term war footing through broad unconventional activities. She was speaking at a meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, a regional cooperation body, with Ukraine's foreign minister. In her words, the aim of these activities is to undermine European unity, weaken resilience and reduce support for Ukraine. Latvia's Foreign Ministry relayed this to the LETA news agency.

What the meeting covered

Discussions focused on regional security, including the threat of Russian unconventional warfare and the migration pressure orchestrated by Belarus. Participants also discussed the help Ukraine needs for the coming winter and the role of European countries in peace talks on Ukraine. At the end they signed a joint declaration on continued support for Ukraine, a just and lasting peace, tougher sanctions on Russia and stronger European security.

The countries confirmed their readiness to keep providing military, humanitarian and financial aid. Particular attention went to strengthening the resilience of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and boosting its air defence, given intensified Russian attacks on civilians and on critical and civilian infrastructure. On Ukraine's finances, participants agreed that a solution must be found to fund the country's budget and defence needs in 2027.

Braže's calls

Braže noted that Russian provocations and sabotage can affect any ally, so Europe must strengthen its resilience, maintain economic pressure and Russia's international isolation, and tighten sanctions. She urged that Russian athletes and artists be barred from international events, that former Russian soldiers be denied entry to the European Union, and that Russian citizens be prevented from using EU tourism privileges.

The minister also described growing illegal migration pressure from Belarus on Latvia's border: this year Latvia has already prevented almost 13,000 attempts to cross the border illegally. She said this pressure is part of a wider Russian attack on European security, and that support for Ukraine and greater pressure on Russia remain the most effective path to peace.

The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Poland, Estonia, Norway, Finland, Germany and Ukraine, and by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Lithuania were represented by officials delegated by their ministers.