The President of Latvia asked the US to increase troops to protect the Baltic countries

Answer the interview CNNLatvian President Egils Levits said that a permanent US military presence in the Baltics was “absolutely necessary” to counter Russia’s “aggression”.

“NATO should strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, the Baltic, Poland, Romania. This will be a strong signal to Moscow that NATO is ready to defend its member states. I also welcome the US military involvement in Poland, in the Baltic.”said Mr. Egils Levits.

Egils Levits accused Russia of hatching “the idea of ​​​​expanding its offensive beyond Ukraine”, saying that keeping NATO troops permanently in the Baltic would be a necessary “response” to Moscow’s threat to the region. area.

According to Egils Levits, Russia’s attack in Ukraine “more than just aggression against a state” but also the move “aggression against the West” and “against Western values”.

Currently, the presence of US and NATO troops in the Baltics takes place alternately. The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) are concerned that the Russia-Ukraine tension will affect their own border areas.

Last week, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said that the country will have to increase its defense budget to cope with the risks and risks from the current Ukraine conflict.

After Russia started its offensive against Ukraine on February 24, NATO countries including Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania activated Article 4 of the NATO Treaty to launch consultations within the alliance in response to concerns. security concerns.

Under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty, the parties shall consult together whenever one of the parties considers that the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any member of the alliance is threatened. .