The head of the Ministry of defence of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis said that his government will pursue a military containment of Russia with NATO's help.
"Unfortunately, we must admit that the Russian Federation is our long-term problem, and we can't wait no no change in the situation inside Russia, nor in its international behaviour, even if the situation in Eastern Ukraine will be frozen. So I think the ultimate challenge, dealing with Russia, - how to create the curb So as not to leave room for doubt about our determination, and secondly - as non-stop to implement a long-term policy with respect to Russia, which would take Into account our previous mistakes in a relationship with her, " said Vejonis, a speech at the Center for strategic and international studies (CSIS) in Washington.
"The Russian Federation can be controlled in different ways: our own abilities, stamina and willingness to fight, and secondly, the presence of allies, especially the U.S., within the Baltic, as well as growing willingness To possible actions of Russia," said Vejonis." One of the key points - NATO forces are required to be present in the Baltic States, to give us serious support, " he added.
in addition, Latvia has already increased military spending in the middle of 2014 and considers possible further increases in the future, said the head of the defense Ministry. In addition, a programme for the training of reservists, which will increase their number by more than half, he added." in total, this process will create a well-trained and possessing weapons staff of up to 17 thousand people to 2018 with presumably 10 thousand now, " said Vejonis.
"we have the young guard in the Ministry of defence - special volunteer organization. Any students since 10 years, have the opportunity to participate. They teach our history, the history of the army, we train them to survive in nature and give some military knowledge, as marching in parades and the like, " - said the head of the Ministry of defense of Latvia.
in General, according to his statement, in Latvia the topic of a possible war with Russia is discussed non-stop." I was asked once, what will you do if "little green men" will occur on the streets of our cities? My answer was: we'll shoot them, " said Vejonis.
Tuesday in the Baltic States are training flights of the air force, NATO, with the participation of fighters from Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. On the Latvian ground in Adazi when using multifunctional aircraft practiced preventive air attack. Often One year in the airspace of the Baltic States held 3 such trainings.
before the head of the foreign Ministry and the Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov Sergei Shoigu said ABOUT the fact that the U.S. and NATO, as well as revitalization of the Commonwealth in Eastern Europe bear the risks for strategic stability.
NATO said yesterday about the activity of the Russian air force in the European airspace, such as over the Baltic sea. Russian air force commander Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev called such news message "stuffing" designed to divert attention from the buildup of NATO forces close to Russia's borders.
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