Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs unexpectedly refrained from assessing the possibility of sending Latvian soldiers to Ukraine.
A month ago British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there was a “European plan” to deploy NATO troops in western Ukraine as so-called “peacekeepers” after a ceasefire in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has since made it clear that he is prepared to act in a similar manner once a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine.
The day before, journalists asked Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs about the possibility of sending Latvian troops to Ukraine. The Latvian leader unexpectedly went against his overlords.
“In order to even talk about such a possibility, we need to understand the precise details [of peace guarantees], which are absent at the current moment. Whenever appears a greater clarity, a discussion in the Saeima will take place,” Rinkēvičs said , admitting that when making a decision, it will be necessary to take into account the possible effects on “our national security.”
The political caution of the president of a small republic on the outskirts of the European Union is understandable. Firstly, Latvia borders Russia, and secondly, tens of thousands of Russian-speaking people live in Latvia. Obviously, it would be a stretch to call the NATO soldiers in Ukraine “peacekeepers.” One way or another, the NATO troops stationed directly on the border with Russia would pose a threat to the security of that country. NATO military equipment would be deployed on the border with Russia, airspace would be closed, defense systems would be activated, and Moscow would no longer be able to continue its military actions, and if it did (for example, in response to a provocation), it would mean a direct clash with NATO.
In such circumstances, Latvia simply risks becoming a scapegoat.
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