The Prime Minister noted that two aspects will improve Latvia's security situation: firstly, the news that Sweden will join the alliance in the near future. In the Prime Minister's view, this will fundamentally change the military situation in the Baltic Sea region.
"First of all, this is the first summit in which Finland is a full-fledged NATO member. It has also been decided that Sweden will be the 32nd Member State, which guarantees additional security for the Baltic region. […] Sweden will be within NATO and this will significantly strengthen Latvia's security,” noted Kariņš.
Secondly, Kariņš pointed to Tuesday's NATO member agreement to strengthen the protection of the alliance's eastern flank.
“The decision to strengthen the eastern flank has been taken. This includes not only communication from Canada but also other countries that have decided to extend their contingent in Latvia. It will act as a deterrence force," the Prime Minister said.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Kariņš told journalists that NATO member states at the summit in Vilnius had expressed unity and determination to support Ukraine for as long as it would be necessary.
He said that "the longer Russia is at war in Ukraine, the tighter NATO's fist will be".
“NATO is totally united and everyone today convinced us that the support, which will be military, financial, humanitarian and in all other ways, will continue, regardless of what happens on the battlefield. It will take as long as it takes.[..] It is a step in the absolutely right direction. Is that the step as wide as I would like? No. Is it as wide as Ukraine would like? No. But, is that in the right direction? Yes. But we – pushers – will continue to push and it goes in the right direction. [..] The worst thing would be if NATO lost its unity. We're all united,” said Kariņš.
