Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called for a candid, detailed discussion of red lines to make clear to Russia that NATO territory is protected and civilians are shielded. His remarks came amid heightened concern after reports of a drone incident linked to Russia on Latvian soil, a development that has stirred calls for stronger allied vigilance.
He urged a thorough dialogue and explicit thresholds that would signal Moscow about NATO’s commitment to defend its members and their populations. The emphasis was on establishing a clear framework so that any future incursion would be met with predictable and unified responses from alliance members.
In Riga, Latvian leadership weighed in on the incident as part of a broader assessment of regional security. The Latvian president noted that a Russian military drone had crashed in the country’s eastern region and highlighted a rising frequency of such events. He stressed that NATO should craft a shared strategy to address these threats. Subsequently, Latvia’s defense authorities clarified that the UAV originated from Belarus and entered Latvian airspace, underscoring the complexity of regional security dynamics.
Following the event, Latvian authorities summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires to convey concerns, while the defense leadership committed to strengthening air defense capabilities on the eastern flank to deter future intrusions and reassure nearby populations. These steps reflect Latvia’s ongoing focus on reinforcing border security and maintaining allied readiness in the face of evolving threats.
Officials have also indicated Latvia’s growing involvement in the wider conflict context in Ukraine, signaling a trajectory of increased commitment and coordination with international partners to address security challenges in the region.