Latvian president warns Europe is falling behind on drone and air warfare in Ukraine
President Edgars Rinkēvičs has warned that Europe's air and missile defences could struggle to repel a Russian missile strike if the war expanded, as drone technology develops at extraordinary speed.
Latvia's president, Edgars Rinkēvičs, has warned in an interview with the Guardian in Washington DC that Europe is failing to keep pace with rapid developments in drone and aerial warfare in Ukraine. He said technological progress in this area is moving at "lightning speed" and that current preparations for aerial conflict could become obsolete by the middle of next year.
Rinkēvičs said air defence, drone defence and anti-ballistic defence all face serious problems — not only in Ukraine but across Europe and Nato. He warned that if Russia decided to fire several missiles at a Nato country, many states would struggle to cope with such an attack today.
Interceptor shortages
Ukraine and its European allies are facing delays in the delivery of Patriot and other air-defence missile systems. The United States has used up nearly two-thirds of its stock of critical interceptors during the conflict with Iran, and replenishing those stocks could take at least five years. Washington has considered outsourcing part of Patriot production to Ukraine and Europe, but no agreement has yet been reached, partly due to licensing issues. Rinkēvičs noted that Patriots remain among the best systems available, even though Europe has some of its own capacity.
Concerns over Russian intentions
Donald Trump is expected to meet European leaders next week at the UN General Assembly in New York, as Nato allies step up warnings about possible Russian escalation. Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, warned that Russia could launch drone or missile strikes against Nato states supporting Ukraine in coming months to test the alliance's commitment under Article 5.
The Baltic states, including Latvia, have taken a more measured tone, saying there is no sign Moscow intends to launch a conventional war to reclaim former Soviet territory. Still, Rinkēvičs predicted Russia would step up mobilisation after local elections and use the winter to press its advantage in Ukraine while trying to discourage other nations from continued support.
He pointed to sabotage, cyber-attacks and drone incidents as signs Russia is testing European resolve, while saying a conventional military incursion remains unlikely. On Tuesday, a Nato jet shot down a Russian drone over Lithuania, and Poland closed two airports on Thursday following a Russian strike on western Ukraine.
Rinkēvičs also voiced concern over whether European allies can meet a target of spending 5% of GDP on defence, a benchmark set by the Trump administration for continued US support of Nato, stressing that building real capabilities takes time.
