00:00Latvia is a country that sits on NATO's eastern flank and is ramping up its defense efforts.
00:06Joining me in the studio now is Latvia's Defense Minister Andris Sprutz.
00:11Great to have you on the program. Thank you for being here.
00:14I want to pick up on what Anders Rasmussen said there about the big historic challenge he said facing NATO.
00:20The US President Donald Trump is threatening an US exit.
00:25Is he pushing the alliance to the brink?
00:28On practical military level, we had excellent relationship.
00:32There is presence of US troops in Europe, also in the Baltic countries, in Latvia, and we continuously actively cooperate.
00:40So I see that alliance remains strong, that it is one for all for one.
00:45It is beneficial for all member states, including United States.
00:49Of course, sometimes we have some disputes, sometimes we have some statements,
00:53but I would focus mostly on practical cooperation, strategic cooperation.
00:57We see that cooperation continues as it was, even though, yes, sometimes we have some questions and some disputes to
01:03solve.
01:03But does that rhetoric from Trump sometimes make you doubt that the US would come to Latvia,
01:09to Europe's aid, if needed, under Article 5?
01:11No, my confidence is in the United States, in the transatlantic relationship.
01:17As I said, we have seen this cooperation developing and expanding.
01:22And here I don't have any doubts that the United States would come to help.
01:25So even though sometimes we might have some discussions.
01:28Very good. We know there's another conflict hotspot in the Middle East.
01:34Do you see or fear that that conflict is not only diverting attention from Ukraine and Europe,
01:40but that also there are weapons, US-made weapons destined for Europe being diverted there?
01:45It just once more demonstrates the world is interconnected.
01:49And also the armament supplies, it is quite in shortage in these uncertainty times, in these times of insecurity.
01:56So that's why, once more, it's just a strong reminder that we need to build up our own defences,
02:02our own defence industry in Europe.
02:04We must step up.
02:05In the meantime, yes, we have to deal with some of the potential shortages.
02:09But as I said, I would believe this is not a game changer in terms of the other defence capabilities.
02:15But are you seeing shortages in Europe due to the war in Iran?
02:19We might see some shortages and some countries have admitted it,
02:23that actually there are some delays, but this is a delay because of the lack of defence industry in general.
02:31So we see the shortage in general.
02:33So that's why, once more, we have to develop the industrial base, technological base,
02:38also focusing on new technologies.
02:40I'll get to that very shortly.
02:41But briefly, do you fear that the war in Iran could be emboldening President Putin?
02:47Well, of course, we must take into account that the war is, in a sense, uncertain,
02:53that there are quite a number of those flashpoints.
02:56But it is also a reminder that the United States is ready to act.
03:00And here we should cooperate actively with the United States to solve the problems,
03:04solve the issue, also in Hormuz Straits, together.
03:07And that's what also Latvia has indicated.
03:08We're seeing today that the £90 billion loan from the EU to Ukraine will probably be unlocked.
03:14How crucial is this?
03:16It is crucial.
03:17It is crucial and it's good that we see progress in this regard.
03:21It is crucial to support Ukraine.
03:23But it's not just about £90 billion loan.
03:25It's about bilateral supports.
03:27What Latvia is doing, 0.25% from our GDP goes to Ukraine.
03:31And are all European countries meeting that moment as Latvia is doing?
03:36Do you think all European countries are doing enough?
03:38I would hope that, and I would expect that there could be even more help,
03:44as I said, also on bilateral level.
03:46First of all, on a multilateral level, not to block anything that goes into direction of Ukraine,
03:51because Ukraine fights our war as well.
03:53Ukraine defends our values and interests.
03:55Indeed.
03:55Thank you so much for joining us in the studio, Ministers.
03:57Thank you very much.
03:58We hope to have you back here on set.
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