Braže: Russia Shifting to Long-Term War Footing, Aims to Undermine European Resilience

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (New Unity party) took part on 6 November in Warsaw in a meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and Ukraine's foreign ministers. Poland organised the gathering together with Iceland, which currently chairs the Council. At the meeting, the minister said Russia is moving to a long-term war footing, with wide-ranging unconventional activities aimed at undermining European unity and resilience and reducing support for Ukraine. The Latvian Foreign Ministry reported on the meeting.

Call for sustained pressure on Russia

Braže stressed that Russian provocations and sabotage could affect any ally. In her view, Europe must strengthen its resilience, maintain intense economic pressure and Russia's international isolation, and tighten sanctions. She also urged that Russian athletes and artists be kept out of international events, that former Russian soldiers be denied entry to the European Union, and that Russian citizens be prevented from using the benefits of EU tourism.

Belarus border

The minister described growing pressure of illegal migration organised by Belarus on Latvia's border. This year Latvia has already prevented almost 13,000 illegal crossings of its border. Braže characterised this pressure as part of a broader Russian assault on European security.

Support for Ukraine

Participants discussed help for Ukraine as it prepares for winter, as well as the role of European countries in Ukraine peace talks. 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 pledged to keep providing military, humanitarian and financial aid, with particular attention to the resilience of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and to air defence. Attendees agreed that solutions must be found to finance Ukraine's budget and defence needs in 2027.

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