Latvia's Foreign Minister Discusses Concerns Over Russian Sabotage in Europe

Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braze expressed concerns regarding the potential for Russian sabotage activities across Europe during an interview with PBS NewsHour. The discussion follows heightened tensions and incidents attributed to Russian actors, including armed drones found in Leipzig, Germany, and a near assassination of an American citizen in Poland. Braze noted that while there is currently no direct military threat to Latvia, the security situation in Europe remains volatile due to various forms of hybrid warfare employed by Russia, such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. She emphasized the need for NATO to remain vigilant against these threats. CIA Director John Ratcliffe's recent visit to Moscow was partly aimed at warning Russia against such sabotage acts. Braze indicated that the overall military threat level in Latvia has not changed, but the risk of unconventional attacks persists. She also mentioned that Russia's actions may be aimed at testing NATO's resilience and undermining support for Ukraine. The Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has stated that the risk of direct military invasion is currently low, but the situation remains complex and requires careful monitoring.