Putin will never sit at the same table with Silina or Rinkēvičs, former Latvian defense minister is sure 0 11

“I was very surprised,” he assesses the recent statements of the Prime Minister of Latvia regarding the start of direct negotiations with Russia.

“This makes me think that both in European politics and in Latvian politics there is foreign policy confusion. And this is normal; there is no need to be ironic, because, as we know, the previous system has ended. Currently, each state is searching for its position in the new geopolitical situation...,” Pabriks reflects.

He reminds that there is a post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the European Union, which belongs to a Baltic state.

“Why then are we looking for a special representative for negotiations with Russia? Because Kaja Kallas is incompetent? Because we want to promote some new person there? No, I think the only reason... is that, unfortunately, Kaja Kallas is isolated from Moscow. This is understandable, as it is a totalitarian state, and one can understand that they may not like one or another, but that is not their business. Similarly, they can say that they will never talk to Baiba Braže, Silina, or Rinkēvičs – that is their prerogative, but it does not mean that we will change the government as we did in 1940 when we were presented with an ultimatum. However, the real problem is that our ally – Washington – still does not respect Kaja Kallas...”.

Mr. Pabriks calls on the Old World to speak in unison: “When Europe showed a united position on Greenland, we immediately achieved some changes in Washington's policy. We cannot justify our presence at the negotiating table only by the fact that we also need to have a snack at this table. What is Europe’s plan? Vitkoff, Kushner, and Trump have a plan.”

“The Western world knows how to speak beautifully,” the Latvian figure further ironizes. “But this support for Ukraine is not what it should be, and we also see pressure from the U.S. on Ukraine, but do not see the same pressure on Russia. Thus, it is clear that this does not please at all and is shortsighted, because with such a policy we can achieve some kind of peace, but that peace will continue to fracture our unity – both transatlantic and internal unity in Europe.”