Rinkēvičs warns UN Secretary-General in New York about growing security risks to the Baltics

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York on Monday, warning him about Russian actions directed against the Baltic states and other countries supporting Ukraine, which are raising the risk of escalation in the region. The meeting was confirmed to the LETA news agency by Mārtiņš Drēģeris, the president's communications adviser.

The talks took place during the UN General Assembly's 81st session, where the presidents of Lithuania and Estonia also met with Guterres. Discussions covered pressing security and global challenges, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, regulation of artificial intelligence, and the need for UN reform.

Condemnation of attacks on Ukraine

Rinkēvičs strongly condemned Russia's intensifying ballistic missile and drone strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. He stressed that Russian attacks on Ukraine's grain infrastructure pose a serious threat to global food security.

Call for AI regulation

The president also informed the Secretary-General about a joint call by several world leaders to establish a mechanism for controlling and regulating artificial intelligence models. Rinkēvičs emphasized the importance of developing unified international standards, with the involvement of both European and smaller states.

Need for UN reform

Rinkēvičs conveyed Latvia's position that the UN system requires comprehensive reform to strengthen the organization's ability to fulfill its mandates and to improve the UN Security Council's capacity to act on global challenges.

Rinkēvičs traveled to the United States last week for a week-and-a-half working visit, during which he is scheduled to attend several meetings and international events.