From@AndrisKulbergsDay No. 81 in the prime minister's chair (TUESDAY, 22 Sept.) — sanctions, “RailBaltica” and work with the state wallet. The morning began with office coordination, documents and preparation for the Cabinet of Ministers meeting. Next — an economic action discussion, a call of Baltic prime ministers, a government meeting and a press conference. 🇪🇺 SANCTIONS — 🇱🇻 HELD OUT TO THE LAST Latvia was the only EU country out of 27 to object until the very last against the removal of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list. In the end, the choice was not between good and bad. It was between bad and much more terrible — changing the status of two persons or the collapse of the entire sanctions regime. Latvia constructively abstained. As a result, sanctions against almost 3,000 supporters of Russia's war were extended for 36 months, not as before — every six months, meaning no one will be able to touch them for 3 years. Until now, they had to be re-confirmed every 6 months. At the same time, we immediately imposed Latvian national sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman. In Latvia, their funds and economic resources remain frozen. Thanks to @Arlietas, the diplomatic corps and Minister @Braze_Baiba for the work, as well as the President @edgarsrinkevics for coordinating 🇱🇻 position from NY. 🇫🇷🛡️ STRONGER SECURITY FOR LATVIA Through intensive negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron, we reached an agreement to start talks on Latvia joining France's nuclear deterrence initiative. France has also pledged to strengthen its military presence in Latvia — especially in air defence. Security 🇱🇻 is concrete allied presence, capabilities and deterrence. 🚆 “RAILBALTICA” — BALTIC PRIME MINISTERS AGREE ON 2034 With the Lithuanian and Estonian prime ministers, we agreed on a common Baltic position and signed a 3x countries' declaration for the project's implementation. 2030 is not realistic, because RB would have to be implemented without EU funding because the new fund money is only available in 2029, and we have to finance security from the national budget. Therefore, all 3 Baltic countries agree on a realistic first-stage target — 2034. In the next EU financing period, the Baltic states will jointly ask the EU for predictable funding for the project's implementation, while on their side there is a commitment to review unnecessarily high technical requirements to reduce costs by several billion and speed up construction timelines. CUTTING THE COSTS OF THE STATE APPARATUS I signed an order to freeze the base salaries of officials also in 2027. It also applies to the prime minister, ministers and Saeima deputies. The Ministry of Finance has been tasked with preparing proposals to limit state spending — reviewing bonuses, service spending, long-standing vacancies and other expenses. Money will no longer be squandered in DECEMBER. It is also required to freeze all DECEMBER procurement. We in the state have a habit of unnecessarily spending the state budget in December with unnecessary expenses — it must be stopped so that the money stays in 2027. If we demand that the state save, we must start with ourselves. 🛂 CLEARER MIGRATION POLICY The government approved a 71-measure plan for stricter control of third-country nationals' entry, employment and studies. Some proposals still require amendments to laws, but the direction is clear — Latvia needs a migration policy that actually works. It was not a short day. But the prime minister's chair is not meant for comfort.
Open referenced post
Defense: Posts and News mentioning Apvienotais saraksts
Political posts and news in Defense that mention Apvienotais saraksts, from monitored Latvian public sources.
@AlksneR There you go. So what relevance does that have in the context of Budanov's visit? PS that network is still working.
From@AlksneR@poznaks No, I am not saying Kulbergs was a Chekist; that network worked smarter.
Open referenced post
Not everything. Only what people donate.
From@ainarsgriezeRespect to the Motor Museum, but I’m talking with one “exporter” here. He exports everything to UKR.
Open referenced post
Roberts Zīle predicts - what will happen if 'Rail Baltica' does not significantly advance by 2034?
Whatever puzzle pieces there are, we'll have to put the picture together with those.
Deep discontent is brewing over the EU's lifting of sanctions against Russian billionaires.
From@Apvienotais_How to balance the state budget if expenses keep growing? On TV24 program “Pre-election debates. Fight for Latvia”, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs raised the question of the state budget deficit and growing expenses. In the discussion, Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens stated that he disagrees with such an assessment, emphasizing the importance of economic growth and defense funding. Andris Kulbergs, in turn, raised the question of how the state plans to balance growing expenses and budget capabilities. Watch the discussion fragment and the full debate recording: https://t.co/JgFBb5QjDz #APVIENOTAISSARAKSTS #MumsIrRisinājums #KulbergsIrRisinājums #LatvijaMumsIrRisinājums #7Saraksts #SaeimasVēlēšanas2026 #TV24
Open referenced post
"They made us get off in a minute": minister recounts dramatic return from Ukraine by train
Support for Ukraine is Latvia's security policy. And that must be demonstrated with deeds. @Apvienotais_ has supported Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion — in municipalities, the Saeima, the government and the European Parliament. The 'Twitter convoy' led by Reinis Pozņaks continues to deliver the cars Ukraine so badly needs. The government has also made concrete decisions on military support. And last week in Kyiv I signed a cooperation memorandum between Latvia's and Ukraine's justice ministries to help strengthen the rule of law, the resilience of the judicial system in crises, and Ukraine's path to the European Union. This cooperation is mutual: we help Ukraine, and from Ukraine's experience we learn how to strengthen Latvia's security as well. 🇱🇻🇺🇦 🎥 Video: Delfi TV debate 'Next, please!' on Latvia's place in the world (23.09.)
@SandrisSabajevs @Braze_Baiba @AndrisKulbergs One more small remark — in my opinion, none of us here among those mentioned are against sanctions, let alone against those orc scoundrels. There is really no other way to call them👌
From@SandrisSabajevs@CerinsAivis @Braze_Baiba @AndrisKulbergs Aivi, the PM said on TV3 that Latvia defended its interests and received France's assurance of help in strengthening our defense. If the neighbors' position was a surprise to the PM, why blame the Foreign Ministry? Taking a stand against oligarchs was Latvia's position, not a mistake.
Open referenced post
@SandrisSabajevs @Braze_Baiba @AndrisKulbergs The reproach is that the PM has to do the direct duties of the MFA. Important duties! Diplomats' work is to handle such matters, not for the PM to call emergency Cabinet meetings. Am I wrong? Correct me if I'm not🤝
From@SandrisSabajevs@CerinsAivis @Braze_Baiba @AndrisKulbergs Aivi, the PM said on TV3 that Latvia defended its interests and received France's assurance of help in strengthening our defence. If the PM was surprised by the position of neighbouring countries, why reproach the MFA? Standing up to oligarchs was Latvia's position, not a mistake.
Open referenced post
What GDP forecast do you see under this scenario, since it will inevitably also be affected by expenditure restraint?
From@guntarsvThe Finance Minister announced his choice this morning on the Morning News. The medium scenario. Why? Well, because right now it's not realistic to fill the hole that has arisen by adding an additional 3% of GDP for defense. And no country can do that. Absolutely none. So what then? Well, one option would be at least not to use the allowed increase in borrowing for defense plus 1.5% of GDP, but to try to keep the deficit at the old 3%. Which is also very difficult to do. In a normalized (not war preparation) budget, that would be a balanced budget. We don't have a normal situation. Defense has to be financed at all costs, and then some deficit inevitably arises. But that has to be accepted. But what the new coalition or even any specific party will decide - we'll see, there are still many faints and debates ahead.
Open referenced post
The Finance Minister announced his choice this morning on the Morning News. The medium scenario. Why? Well, because right now it's not realistic to fill the hole that has arisen by adding an additional 3% of GDP for defense. And no country can do that. Absolutely none. So what then? Well, one option would be at least not to use the allowed increase in borrowing for defense plus 1.5% of GDP, but to try to keep the deficit at the old 3%. Which is also very difficult to do. In a normalized (not war preparation) budget, that would be a balanced budget. We don't have a normal situation. Defense has to be financed at all costs, and then some deficit inevitably arises. But that has to be accepted. But what the new coalition or even any specific party will decide - we'll see, there are still many faints and debates ahead.
From@Rajevskis@guntarsv Which scenario does the United List choose? @Apvienotais_
Open referenced post
Kulbergs comments on Macron's message to Latvia: "We could be the first of the Baltic states"
France has agreed to start talks on Latvia joining the nuclear deterrence initiative.
Kulbergs is outraged: “The choice was stark”
Kulbergs is outraged about the position Latvia has been put in on the EU sanctions issue.
EU extends sanctions against Russia, but removes two oligarchs from the blacklist
Prime minister outraged over the position in which Latvia has been placed in the EU sanctions matter.
Prime minister outraged by the position in which Latvia has been placed in the EU sanctions matter.