Latvia's FM assesses risk of Russian war with NATO
Photo: Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia (Getty Images)
Russia is unlikely to invade a NATO country now. It is exhausted from its full-scale war against Ukraine, stated Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, according to Reuters.
"What you're asking is whether I'm afraid Russia would invade NATO. No, I don't think Russia would do that because that would mean a lot more complications than it already has in Ukraine," she said.
Braže highlighted that Russia loses over 2,000 soldiers daily in its war against Ukraine. The toll of 600,000–700,000 killed or seriously wounded soldiers is significantly impacting its economy.
"Russia is not doing very well, also economically, so we don't have direct military threats, but we are very serious about our defense," Braže added.
She also assured that Latvia is ready to work with the new administration of Donald Trump after his inauguration. Specifically, she mentioned dialogue with Marco Rubio, whom Trump has nominated for the position of Secretary of State.
Threat of Russia to NATO
A few weeks ago, Bruno Kahl, head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), warned that Russia could attack NATO territory in the coming years.
However, Kahl clarified that there is no talk of a large-scale war. Moscow may conduct a limited operation.
In his opinion, such an operation could be an invasion of the Norwegian Arctic island of Svalbard to “mop up the territory.” The Baltic states are also under threat.
