Braže: Latvia will not allow limits on allied forces or a Europe split into security zones

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (New Unity party) stated on 14 November that Latvia will not allow its security to be weakened, allied forces to be restricted, or Europe to be divided into different security zones. She was responding to reports of Russian proposals for a new European security order that emerged in connection with talks on ending the war in Ukraine.

Braže argued that by demanding talks on a "European security architecture", Russia is trying to divert attention from the genocide it is carrying out in Ukraine. In her words, before any broader discussion of Europe's security future, attention must go to stopping Russia's war and achieving a ceasefire.

She said European security rests on the principles of the UN Charter: the inviolability of borders, the unacceptability of using armed force, and the right to individual and collective self-defence. She called NATO, the North Atlantic alliance, the cornerstone of European security and said no member state intends to change its status in it. According to Braže, NATO's Article 5 guarantees, defence plans and the presence of allied forces are not, and cannot be, subject to negotiation with Russia.

What is known about Russia's ideas

The German newspaper Bild, citing sources, reported that during talks in Abu Dhabi, Russian representatives presented unofficial proposals to European diplomats. Among other things, they envisage Finland leaving NATO and the alliance giving up bases in the Baltic states. Ukraine would be required to stay neutral and renounce NATO membership, while its European Union membership would not be contested. Moscow also offers to withdraw nuclear weapons from Belarus.

The Abu Dhabi meeting was a trilateral one between the US, Russia and Ukraine, and Europeans did not take part. The US outlet Axios reported that envoys of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, asked Moscow to set out its security demands. Witkoff said Vladimir Putin had agreed to let European representatives join the next round of peace talks, but the Kremlin said it had not yet agreed.

Braže said Latvia will continue to strengthen its defence and deterrence capabilities, expand the allied presence in the Baltic region and support Ukraine's self-defence efforts.