CIA director's Moscow visit did not change Latvia's assessment of the Russian threat, president says
Photo: Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs (flickr.com/eda_dfa)
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs assured citizens that there is no immediate risk of a Russian invasion, but authorities are declaring a state of emergency in the eastern border region due to the threat of sabotage, cyberattacks and unidentified UAVs, says presidential adviser Mārtiņš Drēģeris, according to LETA/Otkrito.
Border situation and preventive measures
The Riga administration emphasizes that its assessment of the direct military threat to the country has not changed. However, there remains a high likelihood of hybrid operations from Russia, which Latvia and its NATO allies regularly face.
"We highly value the political, diplomatic and military efforts of NATO allies, including the United States, aimed at strengthening regional security," Mārtiņš Drēģeris emphasized.
Latvia's Ministry of Climate and Energy has prepared a draft order to declare a state of emergency until December 1 in the eastern border regions.
The measures will concern healthcare, energy supply and water management.
The decision is justified by the risks of escalation from Russia, as well as reported sightings of drones and other unidentified objects in the airspace near the border.
CIA chief's visit to Moscow
The security assessment came amid reports of an undisclosed visit by CIA director John Ratcliffe to Moscow.
During the trip, the head of US intelligence warned the Russian side against attacking NATO countries and escalating tensions involving the Baltic states.
The main purpose of the visit was to warn against escalatory actions toward the Baltic states, Politico quoted an informed source.
According to media reports, the CIA chief also urged Moscow to reduce its military and economic support for Iran.
Intelligence meeting in Moscow and Ukraine's position
Earlier, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service director Sergey Naryshkin confirmed for the first time that talks with CIA director John Ratcliffe had taken place in Moscow, calling the intelligence agencies' meeting an ordinary matter.
Kyiv also reacted to the contacts. As stated by Ukrainian Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov, during the CIA chief's visit to Russia, the war in Ukraine was among the topics discussed.
US media previously reported that the US representative warned the Kremlin against escalation involving the Baltic states during the visit.
Neighboring countries regularly detect hybrid threats and take measures to protect NATO's eastern borders.
