In a meeting with James O’Brien, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže, expressed her gratitude for the support the U.S. has provided for the security of the Baltic States and Europe. She urged the U.S. to expand its military and economic presence in Latvia. This move would serve as a solid deterrent to Russia and send a positive signal to foreign investors about Latvia’s safe and attractive investment environment.
Baiba Braže and James O’Brien emphasised the need for sustained pressure on Russian aggression in Ukraine through effective sanctions against Russia and its allies, which are vital for weakening Russia’s economy and military.
During a recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Braže highlighted Latvia’s proposals for new sanctions and affirmed their commitment to ongoing military, financial, and humanitarian support for Ukraine. She urged the U.S. to lift any restrictions on military assistance.
The Latvian Foreign Minister also reported on her visit to Moldova and Ukraine with ministers from the Baltic and Nordic countries (NB8). NB8 ministers expressed strong support for Moldova’s democratic processes ahead of its presidential election and a constitutional referendum on EU accession, pledging assistance for its integration efforts.
Additionally, she noted the NB8 countries are the second-largest donors to Ukraine after the U.S. On October 15, Latvia approved 1.7 million euros for Ukraine to support civilian mine clearance and address critical energy needs ahead of winter.
James O’Brien is in Latvia for “The Rīga Conference 2024”, where he participated in discussions on Euro-Atlantic security with Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.
Since its inception in 2006, the conference has been a key platform for security and foreign policy in Northern Europe, uniting officials, experts, and media representatives to discuss critical issues.
This year’s topics include the future of European security, Ukraine’s victory in the war, the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy, NATO’s 360-degree strategy, the United Nations’ role in current geopolitics, and the influence of Artificial Intelligence on national security.
The event will be held in person and streamed online at www.rigaconference.lv, with coverage on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
