The agreement regarding aid for Ukraine during war and border security is currently at a standstill in Congress. Leaders from the Baltic countries are cautioning U.S. legislators that time is limited and they are concerned about the consequences of not halting Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, which could result in NATO allies having to pay a greater price.

During a recent trip to Washington, parliament speakers from the Baltic countries expressed their support for Ukraine and met with American legislators, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, and representatives from the State Department.

The Baltic countries are some of the main providers of military and economic assistance to Ukraine in relation to their own GDPs.

Speaker of Latvia’s Parliament, Daiga Mierina, stated during her visit to Washington that despite differing opinions, there is a unanimous agreement on Capitol Hill about the urgency of ending the war and doing so collectively.

The interview has been edited to make it shorter and clearer.

What are the main subjects you are focusing on? What are the issues that Baltic leaders wish to address with legislators from the United States?

Daiga Mierina, Latvian Parliament Speaker: Naturally, helping Ukraine is high on the agenda everywhere in the world right now. But if we want to achieve peace, we need to do everything we can. And even more than that, we need to support Ukraine and especially provide military support, because we must understand that every day that we delay making important decisions, people die on the battlefield.

Our priority was to communicate our individual experiences and impart the lessons we have learned from our personal histories. We believe it is crucial to spread this message globally and to the U.S. that Russia’s aggression will not cease on its own, it will not come to an end without intervention. If we do not take action now, the consequences will be even more severe.

According to news sources, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson mentioned the possibility of dividing aid for Ukraine and addressing border policy issues as a solution to the current deadlock. What was the main message you received during your meeting with him?

Mierina: We talked about this subject, but each country has its own internal policy matters that are highly prioritized. While we acknowledged the potential for different solutions, we did not delve into specific strategies for implementing them.

We had discussions with senators and congressmen, and we gathered various perspectives on the potential for progress. However, we discovered that despite these differing opinions, there was a unanimous agreement that we must end the war as soon as possible and work together to do so.

The VOA reported that although the focus is on ending the war, Baltic leaders are openly discussing the possibility of Ukraine’s triumph as a favorable result. How would Ukraine’s success or failure in this conflict impact your nation and the other Baltic countries?

Reworded: For many years, there have been warnings about the threat of Russian aggression towards European and other countries around the world. Throughout history, there have been clear indications of this possibility. Looking back, we can see that Putin has consistently relied on force to achieve his goals. From the war in Chechnya to the invasions of Georgia and Crimea, each attack has only increased Putin’s popularity and sense of power. This has led to a dangerous sense of impunity for Russia, as they believe they can dictate the world order without consequences. It is crucial that we hold Russia accountable for their actions.

The three Baltic countries have personally endured occupation, genocide, deportation, and Russification. We have a clear memory of these events and continue to raise awareness about the threats and actions of Russia. If we do not take action to stop Russia, they will continue to perpetuate these actions not only in the Baltic region but in other areas as well.

VOA: As a NATO member for two decades, are you still worried about being a potential target with the presence of NATO forces in the Baltics?

Reworded: Mierina emphasized the significance of not feeling abandoned by our allies in the three Baltic States. In the event of an attack or aggression, we can trust that our allies will support us. However, we must also take responsibility and not simply wait for assistance. Our efforts to strengthen our defense strategies and enhance our security demonstrate our commitment. We are hopeful that Sweden will join NATO in the near future and that Ukraine will also eventually become a NATO member.

How do you believe Europe can further contribute, given the various internal discussions and the expectation of a prolonged war, with the assistance of the United States and the European Union?

Mierina believes that European countries have intensified their efforts to aid Ukraine. Many larger European countries have taken action and altered their stance. Any previous hesitation about providing Ukraine with missiles or other weapons has now shifted. It is evident that prompt and determined action is necessary to achieve a resolution. It is apparent that prolonging action only prolongs the war.

Crucially, Russia is highly adept at adapting. It is staying current with the most recent advancements and gaining knowledge from its own errors. During my recent trip to Ukraine, I was informed by Ukrainians that Russia is even employing tactics learned from Ukraine in their ongoing conflict. We should not underestimate the capabilities of Russia.

Currently, we should shift our focus from discussing potential options to discussing practical actions that can be taken. This includes prioritizing the growth of our military industry and increasing weapons production. It is crucial to also prioritize utilizing any seized Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine and finding the most effective methods to do so.

Each day, we are engaged in an ongoing battle of information, and other nations are also facing this challenge due to Russia’s skill in infiltration. They possess the ability to infiltrate any nation and sow chaos, using the global Russian-speaking population to spread their influence and manipulate internal policies. It is imperative that we unite in our fight against the nefarious actions of Russia.

Source: voanews.com