'France importing Russian gas sends the wrong message': Latvian FM Braže • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Drone Technology Development: Focus on rapid innovation, testing in real environments, and the need for a "permissibility to fail" framework for tech companies.
• EU Sanctions Policy: Emphasis on continuous adaptation to counter evasion tactics, particularly concerning Russian energy exports and shadow fleet tankers.
• Disinformation and Hybrid Warfare: Russia's strategic objectives in Africa, including resource exploitation and pushing out European influence, contrasted with the EU's perceived information space vacuum.
• Migration and Border Security: Latvia's stance on the Belarus border situation, framing it as an organized hybrid attack rather than a migration issue, and the implementation of border infrastructure and regulations.

European Drone Development and Latvia's Role

Latvia is actively pursuing its own drone development initiatives, driven by a strong scientific and technological base, ease of doing business, and a permissive environment for experimentation. The country allocates specific airspace for drone companies to test their innovations and utilizes extensive military ranges for live testing, including electronic warfare and against other drones. This real-world testing is considered crucial for developing effective technology.

A significant factor in Latvia's rapid progress is its close relationship with the Ukrainian military, which allows for battlefield testing of drones, communication systems, and other enablers.

Foreign Minister Baiba Braže expressed that Latvia is moving forward with its drone plans independently, without waiting for the European Union's potentially slower processes. She highlighted the need for a "permissibility to fail" approach, contrasting it with traditional procurement models for large defense companies like Rheinmetall or Airbus. Braže argued that EU funding mechanisms like the European Defence Fund (EDF) are too slow for agile tech companies, which cannot afford to wait a year for funding. She advocates for single-source, small procurements that allow companies to fail, advance rapidly, and incorporate scientific discoveries.

Beyond attack and interceptor drones, Braže emphasized the critical need for early detection and identification capabilities for drones in various locations, including airports, to distinguish them from conventional aircraft like delta planes.

EU Sanctions Against Russia and Circumvention

The discussion touched upon the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which for the first time targeted liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. Braže described sanctions as a process of constant adaptation due to Russia's continuous efforts to evade them.

A key example cited was the adaptation to Russia's use of "shadow fleet tankers" for oil transport. Measures were introduced to sanction these ships, identified by their unique numbers, preventing them from being serviced in ports or engaging with the broader ecosystem. Currently, over 500-600 ships are on this sanctions list.

Braže noted that a further step needed is to sanction bunkering services at sea, as ships are increasingly using ship-to-ship transfers to avoid ports.

The Baltic states, including Latvia, took a political stance by stopping all Russian gas and oil imports in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine and have not resumed them. Currently, over 70% of Latvia's gas imports are American LNG, though this can fluctuate based on market dynamics. Oil imports come from various countries, but not Russia.

Braže criticized the continued import of Russian LNG by countries like France, stating it sends the wrong message to Russia and effectively channels billions of euros from taxpayers or company incomes into the Russian budget, which funds the war.

Disinformation and Hybrid Warfare in Africa

The conversation addressed the issue of disinformation and hybrid warfare, with a focus on Russia's influence in Africa. Gallup World Poll data was mentioned, indicating high approval ratings for Russian leadership in some African countries, such as 89% in Mali, 81% in Burkina Faso, and 59% in Benin.

Braže acknowledged that while she hadn't seen the specific ratings, she presumed they were based on polling methodologies, which can be challenging in some African nations. She stated that Russia has clear objectives in each country, including in Africa, which involve supporting certain groups, taking control of regions and resources for exploitation, and pushing out European influence, particularly France.

Despite the reported high approval ratings, Braže noted that ministers from these African states she met with are not happy about the invasion of Ukraine, as they do not accept the principle of a neighboring country invading another. However, their expression and management of this sentiment can differ from European perceptions.

Migration and Border Security on the Belarus Border

The issue of migration and alleged migrant pushbacks on the border between Belarus and Latvia, Poland, and Lithuania was discussed. Braže clarified Latvia's perspective, stating that the situation was initially perceived as legal migration but quickly became evident as an organized effort by the Belarusian KGB. People were flown into Belarus, gathered, and then pushed towards the border.

Latvia's reaction was to treat this not as an asylum or migration issue, but as an organized activity aimed at violating their border, which is also an EU and NATO border.

When questioned about potential human rights violations of migrants, even if Lukashenko is using the situation as a political weapon, Braže argued that migrants have the right to seek asylum in Belarus, which is considered a safe country.

Latvia has implemented border infrastructure, including fences and technology, and is investing in overtime for border guards and customs officers who also enforce EU sanctions regimes. A specific regulation, adopted similarly by Lithuania, Poland, and Finland, creates an exclusion zone where border guards have the authority to prevent entry or exit. Braže explained that even Latvian citizens require permits to enter border regions. Within this zone, border guards are tasked with ensuring territorial integrity and independence are not violated by Belarusian activities.

Conclusion

The interview with Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braže provided insights into Latvia's proactive approach to developing drone technology, its commitment to robust sanctions against Russia, and its concerns regarding disinformation and hybrid warfare. Braže emphasized the need for agility and a "permissibility to fail" mindset in technological development, contrasting it with slower EU processes. She also highlighted the strategic objectives of Russia in Africa and Latvia's firm stance on border security, framing the situation with Belarus as a hybrid attack rather than a migration crisis. The discussion underscored the complex geopolitical challenges facing Europe and the importance of national initiatives alongside broader EU cooperation.