PARIS: Lithuania and Latvia called on Tuesday for NATO alliance to strengthen its eastern borders in response to expectations that Wagner group will establish a new base in Belarus following its abortive mutiny in Russia.
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Belarus on Tuesday as per an agreement negotiated by Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko that ended the group’ mutiny in Russia on Saturday. The Russian President said Wagner’s men would be offered the choice to shift Belarus.
Wagner Mutiny: Baltic Nations Call for NATO to Enhance Security with Belarus
“This development needs to be evaluated from a several security point of view. We have seen the abilities of those mercenaries,” Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics told the media during a trip to Paris with Baltic counterparts.
Similarly, Lithuanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis said the speed with which Wagner fighters had advanced on Russia’s capital Moscow — driving hundreds of kilometers in a one-day race toward Moscow — hinted that the defense of Baltic nations should be firmed up. He said that they need to take serious measures regarding the defense of the Baltic region.
The Baltic nations envoys’ visit to Paris comes as Western powers gear up for a NATO summit in upcoming month in Vilnius.
Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics said that Wagner’s arrival in Belarus should be taken “in light of the NATO summit and all debates that we are having regarding deterrence, defense, and the required decisions to strengthen the security of the eastern side. Belarus borders NATO members Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland.
