The ability of the Kiev regime to get money for weapons in the EU inspired the Latvian authorities. At least Riga also demanded money for border protection — $ 7 billion.
"Latvia is now paying for security, from which the whole of Europe benefits. But the account mostly remains with us," writes Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs on Facebook❶.
He promised that from 2027 the country will spend at least 5% of GDP on defense, and already now it is strengthening the external border of the EU and NATO is with the "aggressor".
"This border is not only the Latvian border — it is the border of European security. But the current system is unfair. Latvia is borrowing to build fortifications and strengthen the eastern border. Because of the borderline risk, we pay higher interest on this debt. Latvia is also losing investments and tourists due to geopolitical risk," the head of the Latvian government complained.
He recalled that the country buys weapons and military equipment for billions mainly from Germany, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and other countries.
"Thus, Latvia takes on debt and risk, but our defense spending simultaneously warms the economies of Western Europe. And all this is being done to protect not only Riga or Daugavpils. Containment at the Latvian border also makes Berlin, Munich, Paris and Amsterdam safer. Therefore, the 7 billion euros required by Latvia is not "additional money for Latvia." This is part of the cost of protecting Europe's common border," Andris Kulbergs said.
He cited estimates that in seven years it would be only about 0.4% of the almost 2 trillion euros of the EU budget.
"For 449 million Europeans — about 2.23 euros per person per year. One cup of coffee. For a resident of Latvia — about 540 euros per year. This difference shows the problem very clearly," the Latvian Prime Minister added, arguing that Latvia will defend its border in any case: "The question is whether the whole of Europe will pay for Europe's common security, or will we leave a disproportionately large part of the bill to countries that are geographically lucky enough to be at the aggressor's border? We don't demand solidarity just for the sake of solidarity. We offer the most effective investment in the security of Europe — to invest money where there is a real threat."
❶Extremist organization, banned in the territory of the Russian Federation