UNITED NATIONS — The Latvian foreign minister has expressed concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin might aim to attain through peace negotiations what he hasn’t managed to secure through warfare against Ukraine—namely, the weakening of U.S. influence and reinstating dominion over neighboring Ukraine.
Amid a week filled with diplomatic engagements between the United States and Europe following President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to conduct direct discussions with Russia—excluding Ukraine and European allies from these initial talks—Baiba Braže shared her insights on this potentially significant geopolitical dynamic.
Braže highlighted that since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the nation has brought merely 20% of Ukraine’s territory under its control. This is despite Russia’s substantial population size of 140 million compared to Ukraine’s 40 million. Putin’s ongoing initiatives have not succeeded in undermining the United States or weakening the NATO military alliance led by the U.S., nor have they ousted Ukraine’s democratic administration in Kyiv.
In the touchstone of peace efforts, the crux of the problem, according to Braže, lies with Russia’s ambitions. “Russians are keen on diminishing U.S. influence globally, which is visible as they meddle in the governance and territorial control of other nations,” she said. As seen in Syria, Putin has been assertive by backing Bashar Assad’s authoritarian regime to secure military bases.
Despite initial successes, Putin’s strategic objectives have largely eluded him during the three-year conflict in Ukraine. “He will likely attempt to achieve his goals within the sphere of peace negotiations, so maintaining awareness of this perspective is crucial while striking any deal,” Braže remarked.
While recent talks in Saudi Arabia involved only U.S. and Russian representatives, Europe, she noted, remains intrinsically linked to peace endeavors. Continuous communication with Ukrainian and American delegations affirms this connection. Having been to Washington three times since December, she was set to meet with U.S. government officials again shortly.
Concurrently, significant European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and the British Prime Minister, were scheduled to meet with Trump, underscoring the importance of fortifying the transatlantic relationship.
Latvia recently announced plans to boost its defense spending to 4% of its GDP by next year, with intentions of reaching 5%, aligning with NATO’s defense spending standards.
Braže underscored that as NATO members, Latvia, along with Estonia and Lithuania, are proactively preparing against possible Russian aggressions. Their strategy focuses on deterrence through immediate warnings, prompt responses, military capabilities, and national resolve. These Baltic states, previously subjected to Nazi and Soviet control during World War II and its aftermath, gained independence following the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991.
Addressing the U.N. Security Council, Braže stressed that only Ukraine’s wins can usher in lasting security and halt Russia’s expansionist ambitions. A rapid ceasefire, she warned, could embolden Russia and jeopardize global security.
Although Macron has engaged with European and allied leaders about participating in security guarantees for Ukraine, Braže clarified that no formal peace procedure is yet underway. Any future agreements, she emphasized, will prioritize Ukraine’s necessities and entail detailed military strategy and preparation, ensuring that peace is durable rather than momentarily halting the conflict.
For any forthcoming security forces, Braže stressed the necessity of military guidance and logistics concerning troop placements and withdrawals from Russia’s side. Stability, rather than a transient ceasefire, remains the ultimate goal, she concluded, emphasizing global commitment to enduring peace.
