Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics Talks Russian Aggression

Summary

---

Bloomberg Talks: Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Russian Aggression

Date: September 23, 2025
Guest: President Edgars Rinkēvičs of Latvia
Host: Bloomberg

---

Episode Overview

In this episode of Bloomberg Talks, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs joins live from the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss the escalating threats from Russia, NATO’s responses, the potential for further sanctions, energy dependencies, and broader geopolitical stability. Key topics include the realities of Russian airspace incursions, the emerging Baltic “drone wall,” transatlantic policy divides, and what the latest messages from U.S. leadership mean for allies on Russia’s border.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NATO, Russian Incursions, and Showing Force

• NATO Air Policing in the Baltics: Latvia is covered by NATO air patrol missions, with tactical decisions like shooting down aircraft to be decided at the alliance level.
  • “Latvia, as well as other Baltic states, are under the NATO air patrolling mission. So that kind of decision should be taken by NATO command... If Russian aircrafts keep violating our airspace, NATO’s airspace, then the only way to stop them is to show force.” — President Rinkēvičs [00:56]
• Push for Stronger Policy: Latvia is advocating for a more stringent NATO posture to deter Russian provocations.
• On Deterrence: Rinkēvičs believes Russian incursions stop only when met with credible force, referencing positive changes seen after increased NATO naval patrols in the Baltic Sea.
  • “The problem with Russians is that they are going to stop incursions in the Baltic or in the NATO airspace if they see a show of force. But at the same time, they are going to find other ways to test and to challenge the alliance.” — [02:41]

2. Air Defense: Drones, Fighters, and the Limits of ‘No Fly Zone’

• Twofold Threats Identified:
  • Drones: Ongoing incursions by drones are described as “tests,” requiring advanced anti-drone measures.
    • “It's a bit also the kind of race when it comes to technologies.” — Rinkēvičs [02:05]
  • Manned Aircraft: Russian military aircraft entering Estonian and other NATO airspace have heightened risk; a transition from policing to full defense missions is underway.
• No Fly Zone Clarification: Rinkēvičs distinguishes between advocating for stronger engagement rules versus a general no-fly zone.
  • “Not exactly. No fly zone would mean that actually we stop flying all aircraft... I’m advocating for much more stringent defense policy of the alliance.” — [03:54]

3. The “Drone Wall” & Baltic Defense Innovation

• Regional Cooperation: The Baltic states are considering a coordinated system—the “drone wall”—to counter incursions across borders, learning from Ukrainian defense innovations.
  • “Indeed we are learning a lot from Ukrainian experience. But… development of technology at this time is so quick that it's quite challenging to find the right approach.” — [04:28]
• Countermobility Measures: The conversation is expanding beyond drones to broad countermeasures against any Russian threats.

4. Sanctions, Energy, and U.S.-EU Policy

• Secondary Sanctions: President Trump proposed secondary sanctions on Russia, contingent on Europe ending purchases of Russian oil. Rinkēvičs supports stronger economic moves.
  • “I'm absolutely supporting that proposal by President Trump… They must stop financing Russian war machines.” — [05:19]
• Oil & Gas Dependency: Latvia, since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, already halted Russian oil and gas purchases, now sourcing 75% of its LNG from the U.S.
• American Leverage: Rinkēvičs stresses U.S. leadership in shifting EU policy, hinting that persistent American pressure may sway reluctant European nations.
  • “I think that the position of the United States in this matter is very relevant… I do hope that all capitals in Europe are hearing the statement from the United States.” — [06:13]

5. U.S. Defense Support & Burden Sharing

• Funding Concerns: The U.S. Department of Defense is reportedly pulling back on some Eastern Flank support (e.g., Baltic Security Initiative). Rinkēvičs is in active discussions with U.S. counterparts but underlines Latvia’s growing self-reliance.
  • “Countries like Latvia currently spend almost 5% [of GDP] on defense because we understand what capabilities we need.” — [07:22]
• Procurement Approach: Latvia often purchases U.S. equipment, co-financing with local resources.

6. Addressing President Trump’s UN Speech & Transatlantic Friction

• On Strong Language:
  • "[Referring to Trump’s comments] Sometimes you will probably need to get kind of very strong language to wake up. But definitely I hope that we are going to find common language..." — Rinkēvičs [08:59]
• UN Reform Needed: Rinkēvičs signals the UN’s ineffectiveness on issues like Ukraine and Syria, calling for reforms especially in the Security Council.
  • “This organization needs reform... this organization was not capable to deal with challenges that actually it was created for.” — [09:51]

7. On Climate Change and Policy Extremes

• Balance in Policy: Rinkēvičs advocates for pragmatic debate between “extremes” on climate change, admitting confusion and adjustment even in Latvia.
  • “From time to time we get into extremes. Sometimes we get into extreme that we are all going to die immediately... In my own country, we have now that debate as well. Are we exaggerating?” — [10:24]

8. Final Message to Vladimir Putin

• Cautionary Warning: Rinkēvičs warns the Russian leadership not to mistake continuing provocations for impunity.
  • “My warning would be: learn from history because pushing the envelope, crossing the line at one point means that you are losing everything... The message we are hearing from NATO allies, from President Trump, from President Erdogan, from other leaders of the alliance are very, very clear messages. So don't even try.” — [11:54]

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If Russian aircrafts keep violating our airspace, NATO’s airspace, then the only way to stop them is to show force.”
  – President Rinkēvičs [00:56]

• “I'm absolutely supporting that proposal by President Trump... They must stop financing Russian war machines.”
  – President Rinkēvičs [05:19]

• “Countries like Latvia currently spend almost 5% [of GDP] on defense because we understand what capabilities we need.”
  – President Rinkēvičs [07:22]

• “Sometimes you will probably need to get kind of very strong language to wake up. But definitely I hope that we are going to find common language...”
  – President Rinkēvičs [08:59]

• “Learn from history, because pushing the envelope, crossing the line at one point means that you are losing everything... So don't even try.”
  – President Rinkēvičs [11:54]

---

Segment Timestamps

• [00:21] NATO air defense reactions to Russian provocations
• [01:50] Airspace incursions, drones, and defense upgrades
• [03:39] Distinction between no-fly zone and stronger engagement rules
• [04:13] “Drone wall” and Baltic defense plans
• [05:00] Response to U.S. secondary sanctions, energy policy
• [06:59] U.S. defense budget cuts and cooperation with Latvia
• [08:36] Reaction to President Trump’s UN comments, UN reform
• [10:07] Discussion on climate policy debate extremes
• [11:21] Direct message to Vladimir Putin and warning

---

Summary Takeaway

President Edgars Rinkēvičs presents Latvia as an assertive NATO frontline state, pushing for tougher alliance deterrence against Russia, deeper regional defense cooperation such as the “drone wall,” and advocating for strong, unified Western policies against Russian aggression—including energy sanctions. He stresses the importance of American leadership, adaptive policymaking on issues like climate change, and asserts a clear warning to Russia: NATO stands united, and further provocations come with real risks. The tone is pragmatic, robust, and occasionally diplomatic, reflecting both the immediacy of current threats and the complexity of transatlantic politics.

Transcript

[Indiana University Announcer]

Indiana University is shaping the future of healthcare, advancing discoveries that become treatments for Alzheimer's, obesity and cancer and training the providers trusted to deliver them. See how IU solves what's next iu. Edu Impact.

[PayPal Announcer]

Bloomberg Audio Studios It's a.

[Bloomberg Host]

Great pleasure to be joined by the President of Latvia. President Edgar Rinkovich is with us live from the United nations in New York on this important day. And Mr. President, we welcome you to Bloomberg TV and Radio. The president in a news conference just a moment ago, as you were sitting down to talk with us on Bloomberg said that NATO countries should shoot down aircraft entering their airspace. Of course, referring to the Russian incursions on Polish airspace as well as Estonian airspace. Is your country prepared if that happens?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

Well, actually Latvia as well as other Baltic states are under the NATO air patrolling mission. So that kind of decision should be taken by NATO command. But I think that President Trump and other leaders who have expressed their views on this issue are right. If Russian aircrafts keep flying, keep violating our airspace, NATO's airspace, then the only way how to stop them is to show force. And from that perspective, I would say that we are going to push for more stringent NATO policy in this regard.

[Bloomberg Host]

Interesting. I'd love if you have more details on those changes and the potential for increasing air defenses along the Russian border. Is there a way to deter Russia from flying these missions?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

Yes, there is. Actually we have two issues here. Number one, it's drones that have been flying into the Polish, Romanian, also Latvian territory. Mostly we have seen those kind of incursions as tests and here more anti drone defense is needed. Actually that's a bit also the kind of race when it comes to Technologies. Number two, it's what happened with Estonia, MiGs flying into the Estonian territory. And here as I said, to some extent the Baltic states are in a very peculiar position because we do not have our fighters. Since we joined NATO back in 2004, there is so called Baltic air policing mission. What has been decided that that policing mission will become free full fledged air defense mission. And then I think that rules of engagement need also to be upgraded in a way that if Russians continue then yes indeed the opening of fire would be an alternative. Can we stop Russians? Yes, we have seen what happened with the Baltic Sea. A couple of months ago we had many incidents with underwater infrastructure when so called Baltic sentry mission started more ships, NATO ships patrolling the Baltic Sea all of suddenly the pattern changed. The problem with Russians is that they are going to stop incursions in the Baltic or in the NATO airspace if they see show of force. But at the same time they are going to find other ways how actually to test and to challenge the alliance.

[Bloomberg Host]

So are you essentially, President Renkovich, describing a no fly zone for, for Eastern Europe, for border nations that NATO would work together on? Is that how you defend the skies?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

Not exactly. No fly zone. No fly zone would mean that actually we stop flying all aircraft, civilian friendly, NATO aircraft.

[Bloomberg Host]

Understood.

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

I'm advocating for much stringent defense policy of the alliance, as we just discussed.

[Bloomberg Host]

I want to ask you about the idea of a drone wall. Baltic countries are apparently having this conversation, a system that would take down any drones that cross the border. Are you involved in those discussions? Could that be made reality?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

Yes, indeed, we are talking about that. Indeed we are learning a lot from Ukrainian experience. But of course we also see that development of technology at this time is so quick that actually it's quite challenging to find the right approach. But indeed, the Baltic nations or eastern flank nations are discussing also the drone wall as well as actually counter mobility measures against any possible Russian incursion, if that may happen.

[Bloomberg Host]

I'm sure you heard the President's speech earlier, President Trump's speech before the United Nations, Mr. President. He spoke about the potential for secondary sanctions against Russia, but said he would only put them in place if European nations stopped buying Russian oil. What is your reaction to that?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

I'm absolutely supporting that proposal by President Trump. Actually, along other countries that are bordering Russia have been advocating for stopping buying Russian oil and gas since 2022. We actually made that decision when Russians started their full scale aggression back in February 2022. So from that point of view, I do believe that President Trump is right. I do believe that all European nations must stop buying Russian oil and gas and they must stop financing Russian war machines. So from that point of view, there is a point in what President Trump said in his address to the United Nations General Assembly.

[Bloomberg Host]

Well, what are you hearing, President, from your NATO allies who are in fact purchasing Russian oil, will they make that commitment?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

I think that if there is a clear position from the United States, if other EU nations or NATO European allies do stop buying Russian oil and gas and there is no alternative, it's US LNG, by the way, Latvia is buying currently around 75% of the United States liquefied natural gas, then I think that those countries may change their mind. And I think that the position of the United States in this matter is very relevant. So I do hope that all capitals in Europe are hearing the statement from the United States at this point.

[Bloomberg Host]

Well, there's a story coming out of the Pentagon here in Washington, the Department of Defense pulling back on funding for programs on NATO's eastern flank, including the Baltic Security Initiative, which would impact your country. Are you hearing directly from the Pentagon on this and can countries like yours make up the difference?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

Well, we are in discussions with our colleagues in the United States Department of War. And at this point I would say that we are very grateful to the United States for all the assistance the country has provided to Latvia since re establishment of our independence. But we are also working with the Congress and I do hope that we are going to find the solution where we are going to continue this cooperation. Let me say that actually when it comes to the US Aid in this regard, then we are mostly buying the US Equipment and also we are then financing that purchase also not only from US Ones, but also Latvian or the Baltic fund. So this is where we are in the process. So I can't confirm that the kind of final decision has been made. And I do understand the push from the United States when it comes to more financing. But let me remind the viewers of Bloomberg also that countries like Latvia currently spend almost 5% on defense of GDP because we understand what capabilities we need. And I do hope that also this message is going to be heard in US Government as well.

[Bloomberg Host]

Spoken like the president of a frontline nation sharing a border with Russia, certainly. I'm curious, Mr. President, what your thought was on the message today from President Trump? He spoke to the room, he said your countries are going to hell. Was that the message that you needed to hear today?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

I think that the United nations is great place where different opinions, different views are being expressed. And I think that sometimes, frankly I'm attending those UNGA meetings in different capacities as the foreign minister before I became president since 2009. And sometimes you will probably need to get kind of very strong language to wake up. But definitely I hope that we are going to find common language with everyone in the room when it comes to the critical issues of the global development, be it climate change or be it other issues. However, I think also that one thing that is currently an issue here with the United States is that this organization needs reform, be it UN Security Council. We see that when it comes to the war in Ukraine or it used to be Syria a couple of years ago, this organization was not capable to deal with challenges that actually it was created for.

[Bloomberg Host]

That's a very diplomatic answer, Mr. President. President Trump referred to many countries on the brink of destruction. Well, that's true due to their use of green energy. Does he have the wrong or the right idea there?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

I think that this discussion about climate change and what should we do is now developing. And you know, from time to time we get into extremes. Sometimes we get into extreme that we are all going to die immediately. And then we do some policies that hindsight seem to be not so clever, and then we probably change the tone. In my own country, we have now that debate as well. What should we do and are we exaggerating? So from that point of view, I think that the climate change is real. The issue is how you deal with that, whether those policies we are agreeing are the right ones, whether windmills are the right answer. Back home, we have the same debate. I would actually be happy to continue that discussion and probably in this kind of clash of opinions, we can probably find the right policy as well.

[Bloomberg Host]

Yeah. Interesting. Before you leave us, Mr. President, and get back to your meetings at the U.N. i want to get back to where we started. And that is the looming threat from Russia and specifically from Vladimir Putin. Putin, what is the message from your country, from you to Vladimir Putin as he considers pushing the line as we've been referring to it in countries like Latvia, if he decides to fly into your airspace, if he sends drones or aircraft, what would be your warning ahead of that decision?

[President Edgar Rinkovich]

My warning would be learned from history because pushing the envelope, crossing the line at one point means that you are losing everything. And I think that the message that we are hearing from NATO allies, from President Trump, from President Erdogan, from other leaders of the alliance are very, very clear messages. So don't even try.

[Bloomberg Host]

President Edgar Zrinkovic, the President of Latvia, with us live from the United Nations. The General assembly underway now in New York. Mr. President, President, thank you for the insights and for spending time with us today on Bloomberg.

[Indiana University Announcer]

Indiana University is shaping the future of healthcare. Advancing discoveries that become treatments for Alzheimer's, obesity, cancer and other rare and complex diseases. And training the next generation of providers, doctors and nurses trusted to address health challenges with skill, compassion and purpose. From the lab to the clinic, from research teams to patient care, IU talent is driving medical innovation, improving health outcomes and strengthening communities. See how IU solves. What's next? IU EDU impact Every business has an ambition.

[PayPal Announcer]

PayPal Open is the platform designed to help you grow into yours with business loans so you can expand and access to hundreds of millions of PayPal customers worldwide. And your customers can pay all the ways they want with PayPal, Venmo, pay later and all major cards. So you can focus on scaling up when it's time to get growing. There's one platform for all business PayPal open grow today at paypalopen.com loans subject to approval in available locations.