Latvian president says too early to discuss sending troops to Ukraine
Latvian president Edgars Rinkēvičs (photo: Getty Images)
Discussion of Latvian troops in Ukraine possible only after security guarantees and European role become clear, president Edgars Rinkēvičs said, according to Delfi.
"If there is a peace treaty or a peace agreement with security guarantees, then there will be talk about the potential presence of European countries and NATO member states in guaranteeing this peace treaty," Rinkēvičs said.
According to him, first of all, a peace treaty must be concluded, and it must be understood what the main elements of this agreement will be, what the security guarantees will be, and what the role of European countries will be.
The President of Latvia noted that from this, in fact, Latvia's role in this process will follow.
"If we are talking about the possible sending of our soldiers to Ukraine within the framework of guaranteeing this peace treaty, for the implementation of security guarantees, then in Latvia this decision is primarily made by the Saeima, and before that it is discussed by the government and the National Security Council. But to talk about all this, it is necessary to clearly know all the details. At present, there are none," he emphasized.
Rinkēvičs stressed that representatives of the armed forces of the countries participating in the Coalition of the Willing are currently working on this.
"But there is no decision. When there is more clarity, there will be discussions," the Latvian president added.
In turn, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, who represents Latvia in the Coalition of the Willing, also emphasized that the decision on sending soldiers can only be made by the Saeima.
According to her, in the Coalition of the Willing there was talk about what would be required from Latvia if it took on training in Ukraine.
"But this will also need to be decided specifically at the moment when there is a clearer understanding," Siliņa noted.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
In August a meeting was held at the White House with the leaders of Ukraine, the USA, France, Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, as well as the head of the European Commission and the NATO Secretary General. The main topic of discussion was security guarantees for Ukraine.
The allies considered the possibility of security guarantees similar to NATO Article 5, but outside the framework of the Alliance.
During the negotiations, US President Donald Trump confirmed US participation in these guarantees, but emphasized that the main burden should fall on European partners, and ruled out sending American troops to Ukraine.
After the meeting at the White House, about 10 countries agreed to send troops to Ukraine.
Details regarding the deployment of troops to Ukraine will be discussed in the coming days. The negotiations will involve the NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, as well as the defense ministers of the Alliance member states.
In addition, the United Kingdom is ready to send its troops to Ukraine to protect the airspace and seaports, but will not move them closer to the frontline with Russia.
