"Trump – Order of the Three Stars!": Very heated debates on foreign policy took place in the Saeima 0 9

Traditionally, the "kickoff" for the debates is given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs — in this case, Baiba Braže, presenting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' report on the results of the foreign policy year and priorities for the current year.

Again, following tradition, the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, takes the podium after the head of the foreign affairs agency, who gave a rather extensive speech yesterday. In her speech, the Chairperson of the Parliament "confessed" that "the moment the Chair of the U.S. Congress and the Chair of the Israeli Parliament approached me with a request to sign a letter calling for Mr. Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, I had no doubt – it must be done! The U.S. has been and remains our strategic partner!"

Prime Minister Evika Siliņa placed special emphasis on the economy in her speech — specifically on the growth of Latvian exports and the use of EU funds: "Last year, 1.4 billion euros were invested in Latvia from EU funds. This is historically the largest amount. Previously, EU fund investments were around 700 million. These are investments in regional roads, energy efficiency of buildings, hospitals, and support for entrepreneurship. And this year, another similar amount will be available — about 1.4 billion euros to stimulate Latvia's economic growth. We must, of course, invest it wisely – smartly and effectively."

"What do we know about U.S. intentions?"

As could be expected, a significant part of the debates was devoted to the global changes in international affairs that occurred after Donald Trump came to power in the White House.

"A competition has begun in the Latvian Parliament as to who will be a greater supporter of Donald Trump. With the rapid changes in interstate relations, it is difficult to determine the main changes and understand Latvia's role in them.

… The U.S., as our most influential strategic partner, increasingly supports a power-based order. This, in turn, means the need to oppose and disagree with our partner, with the confidence that this does not diminish our security. Sovereignty based on the ability to withstand pressure — rather than sovereignty based on rules — is not in the interest of small countries.

Knowing that it is the actions of the U.S. over the past year and especially in recent weeks that we are trying to understand the most, because they affect us the most, we must ask, what do we know about U.S. intentions?

To avoid unnecessary speculation, we need to look at what the Americans themselves say. In the recently published national defense strategy, we see at least three important conclusions.

Firstly, Europe will only receive critically necessary and, therefore, limited support in the future. This is not a surprise. It has been widely discussed for several years and only confirms a long-term trend.

Secondly, Europe is a necessary ally for the U.S. Europe is needed in a situation where the U.S. faces several threats simultaneously. This, in turn, gives Europe a certain leverage in further negotiations on trade and military cooperation.

"We are exemplary allies because we have no illusions about Russia"

Thirdly, allies who take responsibility for their own security are valuable allies. This should reassure anyone who is afraid to say any critical word about the policies pursued by Donald Trump. What matters is not so much our words as our actions. Investments in defense. Procurement of capabilities. Strengthening the border. We are exemplary allies not because we are submissive and flattering, but because we have no illusions about Russia and that it must be confronted with strength," stated the leader of the "Progressives" faction, Andris Šuvajevs, from the podium, effectively making it clear that the "Progressives" critically assess the current American president. It is no coincidence that the "Progressives" received the most criticism from a clearly pro-Trump faction in the Saeima - "Latvia First."

"The Ministry is headed by a representative of a pro-Hamas party!"

According to the chairperson of this faction, Linda Liepiņa, the Ministry of Defense, responsible for our security, is currently led by a "Progressive," that is, a representative, as the deputy emphasized, of a pro-Hamas party! "And should I explain to you how much Latvia's defense depends on the U.S.? Does active opposition to the peaceful efforts of the U.S. president contribute to the security and defense of Latvia? Do the waving flags of Palestine and sympathies for Hamas contribute to the security and defense of Latvia?!" exclaimed Deputy Liepiņa from the podium. As the politician noted, some Latvian politicians and mass media are almost competing to see who can throw more dirt on Donald Trump: "Just recently, one news portal boldly claimed that the U.S. president is a patient in a psychiatric hospital. And what do you think is the hint behind such a publication? The project is funded by the Media Support Fund from the state budget of Latvia. And here arises the question, does the Latvian government support the mudslinging of the U.S. president and participate in it itself?"

Liepiņa's party mate, Edmunds Zivtiņš, is convinced that under current conditions, Latvia should not only support awarding Trump the Nobel Prize but also itself award him the Order of the Three Stars!

Three main countries

Independent Saeima deputy Aleksandrs Kiršteins emphasized that the current global agenda is shaped by three countries — the U.S., China, and Russia.

This politician made it clear that the European Union is not among these main global players.