The strengthening of NATO’s presence in Baltic region

RIGA – Members of the US Senate Intelligence Committee on Sunday, during a conversation with Latvian President Egils Levits in Riga, have expressed support for strengthening NATO’s presence in the Baltic region, LETA was informed by the Presidential Chancery.

At the Riga Castle, the President met with Senator Mark Warner, Chairman of the Intelligence Committee of the United States Senate, and three members of the committee, Angus King, Roy Blunt, and Richard Burr, who have arrived in Latvia.

During the conversation, preparations for the NATO Summit in Madrid at the end of June were discussed, where the new NATO Strategic Concept will be adopted.

During the meeting, the president emphasized that the concept must correspond to the current geopolitical situation, where Russia is carrying out military aggression against its neighbors and is grossly violating international law.

The US senators expressed unwavering support for Latvia as a NATO ally and confirmed the US understanding of the need to strengthen NATO’s presence in the Baltic region.

In addition, Levits reminded us that Belarus supports Russia in the war against Ukraine, therefore the strongest sanctions should be imposed on Belarus as well.

The energy security of the Baltic States was also discussed, renouncing Russian imports and preparing for the long-term transition to renewable resources.