All of Russia's military resources are fully concentrated on Ukraine, where it has lost 1.3 million killed and wounded, said Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže to the LETA agency.
Russia has no potential for a military attack on the Baltic states. This is confirmed by the intelligence services of both Latvia and its allies, revealed intelligence data by Baiba Braže.
Thus, Braže was the last among the members of the governments of the three Baltic states to comment on the statements of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who reported over the weekend about preparations for an attack on the Baltic states.
Braže added that the growth of the Russian economy is also slowing down: Russia's GDP will grow by 0.8% this year compared to more than 4% in the previous two years.
The Latvian minister also calculated that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression, an additional $130 billion had to be spent on purchasing goods subject to sanctions from Western countries, and it has also lost more than $150 billion in oil export revenues.
According to Braže, inflation in Russia, according to estimates from allied intelligence services, may approach 15% this year.
Arguments and Facts
In response to the question of how Latvian society should interpret such public statements from Zelensky — as a warning or as a hypothetical scenario without immediate risk, Braže emphasized that any opinion from any source must be evaluated in the context of facts. According to her, the facts at the moment are that Russia cannot afford new military attacks.
Speaking about whether such rhetoric from President Zelensky could be used in the Russian information space, the minister emphasized that Russia consistently conducts disinformation campaigns and information operations.
And What About the Neighbors?
Politicians from Estonia criticized Zelensky's statements this week regarding a possible connection between internet restrictions in Russia and mobilization for an attack on the Baltic states, pointing out that by repeating them, the Ukrainian president spreads the Kremlin narrative, which complicates cooperation.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna reminded in an interview with ERR that Ukraine has repeatedly stated the potential threat to other countries, including the Baltic states, since Russia's renewed invasion in 2022. In his opinion, such statements from allies do not facilitate cooperation in any way. He also added that there is no truth in Zelensky's words.
In turn, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginene emphasized that currently, there is nothing indicating that Russia is preparing an attack on the Baltic states.
