Latvian Political Monitor

From@AndrisKulbergs

There is a misunderstanding and incorrectly spread news/headlines in media = there is no threat to Latgale and no need to declare a state of emergency. It is just an unfortunate wording of the order's title and annotation from the document submitted by KEM @JanisVitenbergs on the TAP portal. The ministry document's text is misleading and ambiguous (it is a mistake, the minister will correct it), but reading it in detail one can clearly understand both its meaning and essence - to introduce a legal framework for action in yellow and orange warning situations. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' address to the public I want to clearly tell the people of Latvia: there is currently no reason for concern. Latvia's level of military threat has not changed. The risk of a direct military invasion threat to Latvia is currently low. This is confirmed by the information available to our security services, and the President of the State has also publicly emphasized this. Yes, we live in a time when Russia's war against Ukraine continues nearby. We must reckon with cyberattacks, sabotage attempts, provocations, drones, and other manifestations of hybrid warfare. That is why state services are operating in a heightened alert mode, we are strengthening the eastern border, and together with NATO allies we are continuously monitoring the situation. However, preparedness for a potential threat is not the same as an immediate threat. These two things must not be confused. Unfortunately, in recent days we see loud statements in the public space about "threats of escalation of Russia's military action" and the declaration of a state of emergency. Such formulations, detached from the actual security situation assessment, understandably raise questions and concern among people. I call on both ministries and politicians to be particularly responsible on this issue. Security is not a tool for pre-election rhetoric. One must not earn political points with people's fears. If any ministry needs a special legal framework to ensure the continuous operation of hospitals, energy supply, water management, or other critical infrastructure in the event of a threat, the government will evaluate such proposals and make necessary decisions. That is our duty. But technical and organizational state preparedness measures should not be presented to the public as if Latvia were on the brink of war. Latvia is a safe country. We are a NATO member state. Allied forces are stationed in Latvia. Our airspace is continuously monitored, the eastern border is being strengthened, and our security services work together with the allies. The government's task is to be ready even for the worst scenarios. That is precisely why we are strengthening state resilience and critical infrastructure. So my call to the people of Latvia: let us live our daily lives, be calm but vigilant. For politicians and state officials, my call is stricter - be responsible with what you say! I ask journalists before publishing claims to contact and clarify what is meant by the draft order in the Cabinet of Ministers system.

Open referenced post

From@AndrisKulbergs

There is a misunderstanding and incorrectly spread news/headlines in media = there is no threat to Latgale and no need to declare a state of emergency. It is just an unfortunate wording of the order's title and annotation from the document submitted by KEM @JanisVitenbergs on the TAP portal. The ministry document's text is misleading and ambiguous (it is a mistake, the minister will correct it), but reading it in detail one can clearly understand both its meaning and essence - to introduce a legal framework for action in yellow and orange warning situations. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' address to the public I want to clearly tell the people of Latvia: there is currently no reason for concern. Latvia's level of military threat has not changed. The risk of a direct military invasion threat to Latvia is currently low. This is confirmed by the information available to our security services, and the President of the State has also publicly emphasized this. Yes, we live in a time when Russia's war against Ukraine continues nearby. We must reckon with cyberattacks, sabotage attempts, provocations, drones, and other manifestations of hybrid warfare. That is why state services are operating in a heightened alert mode, we are strengthening the eastern border, and together with NATO allies we are continuously monitoring the situation. However, preparedness for a potential threat is not the same as an immediate threat. These two things must not be confused. Unfortunately, in recent days we see loud statements in the public space about "threats of escalation of Russia's military action" and the declaration of a state of emergency. Such formulations, detached from the actual security situation assessment, understandably raise questions and concern among people. I call on both ministries and politicians to be particularly responsible on this issue. Security is not a tool for pre-election rhetoric. One must not earn political points with people's fears. If any ministry needs a special legal framework to ensure the continuous operation of hospitals, energy supply, water management, or other critical infrastructure in the event of a threat, the government will evaluate such proposals and make necessary decisions. That is our duty. But technical and organizational state preparedness measures should not be presented to the public as if Latvia were on the brink of war. Latvia is a safe country. We are a NATO member state. Allied forces are stationed in Latvia. Our airspace is continuously monitored, the eastern border is being strengthened, and our security services work together with the allies. The government's task is to be ready even for the worst scenarios. That is precisely why we are strengthening state resilience and critical infrastructure. So my call to the people of Latvia: let us live our daily lives, be calm but vigilant. For politicians and state officials, my call is stricter - be responsible with what you say! I ask journalists before publishing claims to contact and clarify what is meant by the draft order in the Cabinet of Ministers system.

Open referenced post

From@AndrisKulbergs

There is a misunderstanding and incorrectly spread news/headlines in media = there is no threat to Latgale and no need to declare a state of emergency. It is just an unfortunate wording of the order's title and annotation from the document submitted by KEM @JanisVitenbergs on the TAP portal. The ministry document's text is misleading and ambiguous (it is a mistake, the minister will correct it), but reading it in detail one can clearly understand both its meaning and essence - to introduce a legal framework for action in yellow and orange warning situations. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' address to the public I want to clearly tell the people of Latvia: there is currently no reason for concern. Latvia's level of military threat has not changed. The risk of a direct military invasion threat to Latvia is currently low. This is confirmed by the information available to our security services, and the President of the State has also publicly emphasized this. Yes, we live in a time when Russia's war against Ukraine continues nearby. We must reckon with cyberattacks, sabotage attempts, provocations, drones, and other manifestations of hybrid warfare. That is why state services are operating in a heightened alert mode, we are strengthening the eastern border, and together with NATO allies we are continuously monitoring the situation. However, preparedness for a potential threat is not the same as an immediate threat. These two things must not be confused. Unfortunately, in recent days we see loud statements in the public space about "threats of escalation of Russia's military action" and the declaration of a state of emergency. Such formulations, detached from the actual security situation assessment, understandably raise questions and concern among people. I call on both ministries and politicians to be particularly responsible on this issue. Security is not a tool for pre-election rhetoric. One must not earn political points with people's fears. If any ministry needs a special legal framework to ensure the continuous operation of hospitals, energy supply, water management, or other critical infrastructure in the event of a threat, the government will evaluate such proposals and make necessary decisions. That is our duty. But technical and organizational state preparedness measures should not be presented to the public as if Latvia were on the brink of war. Latvia is a safe country. We are a NATO member state. Allied forces are stationed in Latvia. Our airspace is continuously monitored, the eastern border is being strengthened, and our security services work together with the allies. The government's task is to be ready even for the worst scenarios. That is precisely why we are strengthening state resilience and critical infrastructure. So my call to the people of Latvia: let us live our daily lives, be calm but vigilant. For politicians and state officials, my call is stricter - be responsible with what you say! I ask journalists before publishing claims to contact and clarify what is meant by the draft order in the Cabinet of Ministers system.

Open referenced post

From@AndrisKulbergs

Yesterday, on Ukraine's Independence Day, I was presented with an order that belongs to the entire Latvian people. I publicly accepted it, saying loudly - "this order is due to every Latvian resident who tirelessly supports Ukrainian soldiers and residents, because we know very well...." Fellow countrymen, this order is for you, for everyone who has given their money, time, energy, thoughts and heart for Ukraine, for the victory of good over evil! This award is for each of you - I just brought it home from Kyiv!

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From@Maks_NAFO_FELLA

🇱🇻 Latvia’s PM Andris Kulbergs: Russia wants to return to the stage again. It wants to normalize itself. And one of the areas where we are allowing this to happen — and where we need to be very strong in Europe — concerns Russia returning to sport, to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Just two weeks ago, the federation also basically said that everything was fine, that there was nothing wrong with Russia returning to the world championships — and also returning in music and culture. We must not allow this, because this is exactly how normalization happens, and support [for Ukraine] may decrease.

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