“with all consequences”
Bairbock wants to give more support to the Baltic states

4/20/2022, 8:41 am

Federal Foreign Minister Berbock is visiting the Baltic states for three days. Even before the meeting with his counterparts, the Greens politician assured Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania more support for border security and explained that Germany still has a lot to learn from the three EU members.

Foreign Minister Annalena Barbock has promised more support to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in the wake of Russian aggression against Ukraine. “We are ready to do even more to ensure the safety of our allies,” the Green politician said before embarking on a three-day visit to the Baltic states. Bairbock gave no details, but emphasized: “In an emergency, we will defend every square centimeter of our shared alliance’s territory.” The Bundeswehr already has a leading role in the NATO presence in Lithuania.

Bairbock wants to meet her counterpart Edgars Rinkeviks in the Latvian capital Riga. A meeting with Prime Minister Krysjanis Karins is also planned. In the afternoon, the minister would like to take part in Rinkevi’s consultations with three Baltic foreign ministers, Eva-Maria Leimets (Estonia) and Gabrielius Landsbergis (Lithuania).

She wanted to make it clear on her visit: “Germany takes into account the new realities with all the consequences.” The German government is strongly backing Ukraine in its fight for survival against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s power base with weapons, financial aid and other tough sanctions. In addition, you strengthen your own defenses and contribute to the re-orientation of defense in Europe. “So that our comrades can count on Germany,” Barbock insisted.

Concerned look at Russia

The minister explained that Germany could learn a lot about defensiveness from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. For years, the Baltic states have been investing in energy security, IT infrastructure, media resilience and defense capabilities. In the Baltic states, people have been looking at Russia deeply and with concern for years. “I would like to listen carefully to your experiences and insights,” the minister insisted.

Bairbock accused Putin of not paying attention to human life, international law or the lives and development opportunities of his own people. “In doing so, they also destroyed a large part of the European security architecture that we have built in recent decades and which was a guarantee of security, especially for our Eastern European friends.”