Budrys at the meeting with the President of Latvia: “Attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea require a strong and decisive response”
On 9 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, is paying a working visit to Latvia. On Thursday morning, the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy met with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs. The Foreign Minister of Lithuania and the President of Latvia discussed the security situation in the region and the Baltic Sea, energy resilience, defence capacity building, and support for Ukraine.
Budrys emphasised that the situation in the Baltic Sea demanded immediate and active actions to ensure the security of critical infrastructure by increasing NATO patrols, imposing sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet, and reviewing shipping rules.
“Attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea require a strong and decisive response. It is important to act together and mobilise all the tools at our disposal to prevent hostile regimes from engaging in malicious activities in our waters,” said Budrys.
The head of Lithuania’s diplomacy also discussed support for Ukraine with Rinkēvičs. Budrys stressed the importance of continuing to support Ukraine militarily, financially, and politically and of mobilising allies for this purpose. Lithuania and Latvia have pledged military support to Ukraine worth 0.25 per cent of their GDP.
“It is important to keep Ukraine in the international spotlight. Ukraine’s victory – a lasting and sustainable peace – is the guarantor of a secure future for the whole of Europe,” said the Foreign Minister.
During the meeting, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister and the President of Latvia discussed the need for NATO allies to increase defence spending. Budrys noted that Lithuania was currently spending more than 3% of its GDP on defence and would increase its spending already this year.
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