Latvian president urged the West to prepare for a long war with Russia

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has urged Western countries to prepare for a protracted war in Ukraine. He also said that if Russia wins the war, it will threaten other countries, including the Baltic states. This was reported by The Associated Press.

The Latvian president stressed that allies should not ask questions about suspending arms deliveries to Ukraine and that military aid should be delivered to the Ukrainian defenders in a timely manner. He also urged to keep "the situation in the Middle East in sight".

I believe that it will be much easier for us to keep the peace in Europe if Ukraine succeeds than if we let it down. In the same way, we can't let the situation in the Middle East out of control," said the head of state.

According to Rinkevics, Ukrainian soldiers show themselves on the battlefield "very bravely" and the West is obliged to respond to President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for more weapons.

The head of state said that Russia was mobilising its economy, resources and military equipment "for a very long war" and Europe should take this into account when planning for the future.

Earlier, Rinkevics said in an interview with Finnish publication Helsingin Sanomat that Russia is waiting for the West to get tired. Then he called on the West to support Ukraine with everything it can and to take care of its own defence capabilities.