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.