Following the announcement of the extension of the Canada-led NATO mission in Latvia, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said that cooperation within the Alliance had been elevated to a new level.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that NATO cooperation with Latvia has been elevated to a new level and that Canada’s leadership of Operation Reassurance will be extended for a further three years.

Speaking during a White House briefing, Carney highlighted the differences between current Russian leadership and the era of Mikhail Gorbachev: “Vladimir Putin seeks empire, not glasnost. The ‘trust but verify’ approach does not apply with Putin. As we plan through the coalition of the willing, we must both deter and strengthen our position.”

The Prime Minister noted that the extension of the operation will enhance brigade capabilities in Latvia, reinforce collective defence, and maintain a strong NATO presence. He added that securing peace and security in Ukraine requires robust sanctions on Russia, strengthening of the Ukrainian armed forces, and the development of solid security guarantees for the future.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said that NATO cooperation among allies has reached a new level, with joint planning for activities following either a ceasefire or a peace agreement. She emphasised that the collaboration is valuable not only politically but also in practical terms, as joint NATO training helps citizens and politicians alike understand how to respond in a crisis, providing reassurance for both Latvia and NATO partners.

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