Latvia's foreign minister mocks Russia's pace of advance in Ukraine
Photo: Baiba Braže (Getty Images)
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže mocked the pace of Russian troops’ advance on the front line and called for increased military support for Ukraine, according to Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The head of Latvian diplomacy ironically commented on claims by some Western analysts about a supposedly successful Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. She stressed that the Kremlin’s territorial gains are extremely limited.
"To say that the Russian army is moving at a snail’s pace would be an insult to snails. If a snail had started moving from Avdiivka in February 2022 and headed west, it would have reached Czechia by now, while Russia is still stuck in the Donbas," Braže said.
She also emphasized that despite Russia’s attempts to advance, Ukrainian forces have regained the initiative on the battlefield, which requires intensified military and technical assistance from European partners.
The minister urged European leaders to act decisively and to provide Ukraine with all necessary weapons while the Defence Forces maintain the initiative on the battlefield.
Four pillars of European security
To ensure long-term security on the continent, the Latvian Foreign Minister outlined four key directions for Europe:
- strengthening Europe’s military capabilities and defence industry;
- expanding NATO’s presence on the eastern flank;
- continuing long-term support for Ukraine;
- weakening Russia through sanctions and political pressure.
Ukraine has, for the first time in a long period, liberated more territory in a month than Russia has seized. Russia’s offensive is exhausting, while Ukraine’s drone advantage is helping its forces regain the initiative.
According to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces have failed to achieve any significant breakthrough on the front over the past year. Meanwhile, Ukraine has increased its gains during the winter and spring of this year.
