Latvia signals openness to deploying troops to Ukraine Under future peace deal

Latvia may consider sending troops to Ukraine under a future peace deal, but only if security guarantees and Europe’s enforcement role are clearly defined, President Edgars Rinkēvičs said on August 20.

Speaking alongside Prime Minister Evika Siliņa at a weekly press conference, Rinkēvičs stressed that discussions on Latvia’s potential contribution can begin only if a peace agreement with firm security guarantees is reached, Caliber.Az reports, citing Latvian media.

“If there is a peace treaty or agreement with security guarantees, then the conversation will naturally extend to the possible presence of European and NATO member states in supporting that peace,” the president said.

He added that Latvia’s role would depend on the eventual terms of the agreement. “First we need to have a peace treaty, understand its core elements, the nature of the security guarantees, and the role of European countries. Only then can we assess our part in the process,” Rinkēvičs noted.

Any decision to send Latvian troops abroad requires parliamentary approval, following discussions within the Cabinet and the National Security Council. At present, no formal proposal is on the table, the president said.

“From what I understand, military representatives of the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ are working on these matters. But there is no decision yet. Once greater clarity emerges, discussions will follow.”

Prime Minister Siliņa, who represents Latvia in the coalition, echoed that position. She emphasised that only the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, could authorise a deployment.

She added that deliberations within the group had also touched on potential Latvian involvement in training missions in Ukraine, though no commitments had been made.

“These are matters that will need to be decided once we have a more concrete picture,” Siliņa said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev