Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin will attempt to achieve through peace negotiations what he has been unable to secure on the battlefield—undermining the United States and restoring control over Ukraine.
Speaking to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Braže emphasized that Putin has failed to weaken NATO, oust Ukraine’s democratic government, or significantly expand Russian territory since launching a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Despite Russia’s population of 140 million, it has gained control of less than 20 percent of Ukraine, a country with 40 million people.
Braže, whose country is a member of NATO, cautioned that any peace agreement must not overlook Putin’s strategic goals. “I think the difficulty is with the Russians, because Russians are the ones who want to weaken U.S. power, and who want to weaken the U.S. in the world overall,” she said.
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. State Department for comment via email outside of normal working hours.
Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP
Why It Matters
The warning comes amid a diplomatic shift following U.S. President Donald Trump‘s decision to hold direct talks with Russia while excluding Ukraine and European allies. The move has raised concerns about U.S. commitment to NATO and European security.
On Monday, the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. further roiled transatlantic relationships by siding with Russia in three United Nations resolution votes that blamed Moscow for the conflict.
Braže stressed that Russia’s historical pattern of seeking territorial and political influence over neighboring nations must be taken into account, citing Moscow’s military intervention in Syria, which helped it secure strategic Mediterranean bases.
What to Know
Although only U.S. and Russian officials participated in initial peace discussions in Saudi Arabia last week, Braže asserted that “Europe is included” in ongoing negotiations through continuous communication with Ukraine and the U.S.
The diplomatic efforts come as European nations ramp up military readiness. Latvia recently announced plans to increase its defense spending to four percent of GDP next year, with a long-term goal of reaching five percent. NATO members have committed to spending at least two percent of GDP on defense, but Braže urged European allies to do more. “We are investing in our own capability,” she said. “We wish all Europeans would do that.”
The Baltic states—Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania—view Russia as a continued threat, given their history under Soviet rule.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently met with Trump at the White House, has been in discussions with over 30 European and allied leaders about providing security guarantees for Ukraine in a future peace deal. However, Braže noted that while there have been preliminary talks, there was no peace process yet.
Richard Drew/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
Addressing the U.N. Security Council on Monday, Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said: “Only Ukraine’s victory can ensure lasting security and put an end to Russia’s imperialist aggression…We strongly believe that a rushed ceasefire will not lead to sustainable peace; instead, it will only embolden Russia, encouraging further expansion and putting global security at grave risk.”
What Happens Next
Braže emphasized that any peace agreement must prioritize Ukraine’s needs and long-term stability. “We will be guided very much by the needs of Ukraine,” she said. She pointed to key military considerations, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory and the positioning of any security forces as part of a potential deal.
This article contains reporting by The Associated Press