Latvian Political Monitor

This morning at 7:00 I gave an interview to @LRZinas while being in Lapland at the Arctic Summit, an EU leaders' event. It surprises me that instead of the Latvian public learning about the decisions we are making to strengthen security against Russian threats, my 1:1 discussions with German Chancellor Merz about the EU's new 7-year budget, about the common agreement of Baltic leaders to solve the RailBaltica issue, about Iceland's EU referendum or the general EU position in the Arctic in the fight for natural resources and the new northern sea transport corridor... all that journalists are interested in is Uzulnieks being caught drunk, whether ministers use drugs, and why I hold a glass of beer at a basketball game... I believe you can do better 😉

I'm flying home from the 2nd Lapland Arctic Summit, where together with all the Nordic, Baltic, Icelandic, German, and French leaders we had a heated, important discussion about the strategic importance of the Arctic, security, the Russian threat, EU interests, and reducing dependency on resource extraction. Together with Estonia and Lithuania, we are united in defending the interests of the Baltic states.

Ukraine will not be intimidated or isolated! This was once again clearly demonstrated by the Yalta European Strategy, or @yes_ukraine, conference in Kyiv, where friends and partners of Ukraine from many countries around the world gathered in person. 🤝 This year's conference theme – “Peace Through Strength NOW” – precisely describes the main task of the moment: Ukraine needs strength to stop Russia and achieve a just and lasting peace. I am often asked why I travel to Ukraine during the war. My answer does not change – it is important for me to stand alongside not only in words and not only from a safe distance. To meet in person the people who live through this war every day, to hear what they need, and to understand what Latvia can do even more and faster. This visit also included heartfelt reunions with friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, open discussions with Ukraine's Minister of Justice Denys Maslov, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk, members of parliament, representatives of the justice system, and non-governmental organizations. With many of them, over the years, not only professional cooperation but also genuine human trust has developed. In Kyiv, air raid alerts are part of daily life, and war fatigue is felt. But even stronger is Ukrainians' determination not to give up and to continue the fight against obscurantism. They defend not only their own country but the freedom and security of Europe. Therefore, while Ukraine fights, Latvia must stand ready to act. ℹ️ YES is one of the most significant international forums on Ukraine's future in Europe. It unites politicians, diplomats, entrepreneurs, soldiers, civil society representatives, and experts to strengthen international support for Ukraine and agree on practical action.

This morning's interview with EuroNews about Eastern flank security, about Russian aggression and provocations; Russia is increasing cruise missile production, which is only possible because the West continues to supply electronic components = a complete ban must be introduced. So it turns out some profit, while the whole EU overpays for anti-missile systems for Ukraine.

In Kyiv, with Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi ( @KoretskyiUA ), we agreed to continue work to strengthen practical cooperation between Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine. 🇱🇻🇱🇹🤝🇺🇦 On Ukraine's path to the European Union, implementing rule-of-law and justice reforms is one of the central tasks that will determine the speed of the accession process. Together with Lithuania's Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė, we expressed readiness to continue supporting Ukraine's reform implementation, while the cooperation memorandum signed by the Latvian and Ukrainian justice ministries provides a concrete framework for this – sharing Latvia's experience in justice sector reforms. We also discussed necessary solutions to strengthen economic pressure on Russia. We presented Latvia's proposed solutions for restricting Russian grain transit at the Baltic level. Our goal is to prevent Russia from using Baltic transport infrastructure to bolster its export revenues and finance the war. Latvia will continue advancing this issue together with Lithuania and Estonia. With the new Ukrainian Minister of Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi, we agreed to continue work on grain origin control and restricting Russian grain flows. Special attention will also continue to be paid to defense industry cooperation. We agreed on next steps for Latvian and Ukrainian companies to develop and localize defense technology production in Latvia – both for Latvia's and NATO's needs, and to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities. The framework for this cooperation is provided by the Latvian-Ukrainian agreement on defense cooperation signed by Latvia's Prime Minister and Ukraine's President in June. At the same time, we are preparing for a difficult winter in Ukraine. Latvia will continue to provide practical support in areas where it is most needed and coordinate this support with the Ukrainian government. This visit once again confirmed that Latvia-Ukraine cooperation is becoming increasingly practical – we are strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend its country, while also strengthening Latvia's and NATO's security.

On Father's Day I go to Lapland to represent 🇱🇻 at the 🇪🇺 Arctic Summit, where Nordic and European leaders will meet to address security and the new 🇪🇺 MFF multi-annual budget issues. I will defend 🇱🇻's position on our role as an EU border state on the eastern flank in strengthening the EU border, investment in defense and the need to strengthen the border economy with an additional €7 billion in funding.

Ukraine's victory and the path to the European Union are in the security interests of all Europe. Latvia and Lithuania support this path, accelerating it with practical experience and expert knowledge. In Kyiv, together with the Lithuanian Minister of Justice and the Ukrainian Minister of Justice, we agreed on closer cooperation in several strategically important directions: 🇪🇺 reforms of Ukraine's judicial system and the EU integration process; ⚖️ strengthening the rule of law and the fight against corruption; 🛡️ resilience of judicial institutions and continuity of operations in crisis and war conditions; 📄 documenting international crimes committed by Russia and bringing the guilty to justice; 👧 return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia; 💻 digitalization of the judicial system. At the same time, we have much to learn from Ukraine. In Ukraine, courts and judicial institutions continue to work despite attacks, damaged infrastructure, disruptions in energy supply, and an enormous workload. Ukraine's experience also strengthens the readiness of Latvia's and Lithuania's judicial systems for crises and the ability to resist Russia's attempts to use legal proceedings as a hybrid warfare tool. We will continue to jointly advance the establishment of a Special Tribunal, an international compensation mechanism, and practical solutions so that victims receive justice, and the aggressor Russia faces inevitable consequences. Ukraine can rely on Latvia and Lithuania. Our support will continue for as long as necessary – until a free and European Ukraine. 🇱🇻🇺🇦🇱🇹

Terrorism tries to break people with fear. Ukraine proves every day that courage, the will for freedom, and national unity cannot be broken. Today, on 11 September, the International Day against Terrorism, in Kyiv together with Ukrainian colleagues and international partners I honored the memory of victims of terrorism and fallen employees of the State Criminal Enforcement Service of Ukraine. Since Russia's started war, more than a thousand employees of the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice system have joined the defenders of the state. 58 of them have fallen defending their land, nation, and the right to live in a free country. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a life that Russian terror has brutally cut short. I bow my head before the fallen. Their courage places upon us a duty not to tire, to continue supporting Ukraine, and to do everything possible so that the aggressor is held accountable. Heroes die only when they are forgotten. We will not forget. 🇱🇻🇺🇦

Keynote speech at Riga Conference 2026. A significant event for the development of the military industry https://t.co/3ql1LFUcAX

We had a great meeting with @Kyrylo_Budanov in Riga. Next step in co-operation in military, creating first military industry's 🇺🇦&🇱🇻 companies in Latvia, support in UKR grain export and control of 🇷🇺 grain being mixed with stolen 🇺🇦 grain from occupied areas, 🇱🇻 help in energy heat and electricity equipment for the winter season and a dinner to remeber in famous @Motormuzejs built by my father and his team of oldtimer club

Is this acceptable to anyone from the 'normal world'? #StopPutin #StopWar

If a political force cannot clearly say that Vladimir Putin must stand trial for Russia's crimes committed in Ukraine, then that is a deliberate evasion of naming the aggressor. I asked a simple question, to which a simple answer was needed: yes or no? I never got an answer. In matters of Latvia's national security there can be no half-truths, evasive excuses, and Kremlin propaganda theses. Russia is an aggressor state. Putin's regime is responsible for the brutal war in Ukraine, and the guilty must stand trial. When choosing Latvia's politicians, it is important to understand – will they defend Latvia or will they look for excuses for Russia. Here the dividing line is very clear. 🇱🇻🇺🇦 #APVIENOTAISSARAKSTS @LRApvieniba @Apvienotais_ Video: TV24