NEW: Latest US intel warning abt possible #Russia military invasion of #Ukraine - "We take all these signs very seriously" #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks tells @gmfus
"It's not only about #Ukraine" per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks "[Putin] wants not only to subjugate #Ukraine"
#Latvia's @Pabriks says it appears #Russia's #Putin was gambling that by applying pressure on #Ukraine that West would fold already
"I think the decision is not made yet" on invasion BUT "Putin is putting himself & Russia in the corner" he says, warning "He needs to act"
"I think the decision is not made yet" on invasion BUT "Putin is putting himself & Russia in the corner" he says, warning "He needs to act"
"Nothing today signals to us that #Russia is trying to ease pressure on the borders" of #Ukraine, per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
Current stance by @NATO, West re #Russia has been critical bcs "They were not taking us seriously enough"
per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks, citing even red lines that were not enforced in other places, like #Syria
per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks, citing even red lines that were not enforced in other places, like #Syria
On White House mtg between @POTUS & #Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz - "We would also like to hear that #Germany is ready to reconsider its military support to its allies" per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
#Latvia DefMin @Pabriks, in asking for "larger support & understanding" from #Berlin, notes Latvia has been dealing w/hybrid migrant attacks coming from #Belarus
"For God's sake, who is threatening #Russia at the moment?" per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
"Nobody threatens Russia...Let's not agree to the Russian proposed definitions"
"Nobody threatens Russia...Let's not agree to the Russian proposed definitions"
#Latvia DefMin @Pabriks says if Latvia, #Poland, others did not join @NATO, they would now be in the same situation as #Ukraine vis a vis #Russia
"Good tacticians but I don't think they are good at strategy" #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks says #Russia, agreeing that its current posture is getting the #Kremlin exactly what it says it doesn't want
"There are certain threats or possibilities that if invasion in #Ukraine starts, instability in #Russia may grow"
per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
Says even regime change could be possible in Russia, which would bring more instability for everyone
per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
Says even regime change could be possible in Russia, which would bring more instability for everyone
#Belarus "solidly in the mercy of #Moscow" per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
Says +30,000 #Russia|n troops currently in Belarus, which are also a threat to #Latvia
Says +30,000 #Russia|n troops currently in Belarus, which are also a threat to #Latvia
"We are ready to punch above our weight, but of course we need assistance, knowing the geography" per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
"Please, consider a larger military financial assistance to our armies" per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks on message to US, #Canada, other allies
Says air defense systems needed & permanent presence of US troops also would help bcs pressure on Latvia's border will not abate
Says air defense systems needed & permanent presence of US troops also would help bcs pressure on Latvia's border will not abate
Also, "ask our friends in #Berlin & other countries" to follow US example, per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
#Russia-#China is a "technical alliance of a short period" per #Latvia DefMin @Pabriks
China "has a different type of mentality & political culture" he says "I don't think they will act as Russians are acting" though #Beijing could use #Moscow in the short-term
China "has a different type of mentality & political culture" he says "I don't think they will act as Russians are acting" though #Beijing could use #Moscow in the short-term
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