Danish defence minister visits troops at Latvian NATO base

Record ID: 1671585

  • Title: Danish defence minister visits troops at Latvian NATO base
  • Date: 6th May 2022
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMANDER OF LATVIAN LAND FORCES MECHANIZED INFANTRY BRIGADE, SANDRIS GAUGERS, SAYING: “I do believe that we have passed the stage where flags only can achieve the deterrence effect. In this new security environment only well integrated, capable, and synchronized force ready to fight at any given moment will ensure credible deterrence”. DANISH SOLDIERS BRIGADE INSIGNIA ON DANISH SOLDIERS UNIFORM
  • Embargoed: 20th May 2022 14:16
  • Keywords: Denmark Latvia NATO Nato eastern flank war in Ukraine
  • Location: ADAZI, LATVIA
  • City: ADAZI, LATVIA
  • Country: Latvia
  • Topics: Europe,NATO,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA003624806052022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Denmark's defence minister told Danish troops stationed at a Latvian NATO base on Friday (May 6) their role was to "defend values, freedom, and way of life" for Latvia, Denmark and all the alliance's members.
    Denmark sent troops to the Baltics region to bolster the alliance's eastern flank amid the Russian buildup at Ukraine's border and the ensuing invasion of the country.
    The Scandinavian country also sent F-16 fighter jets beginning a NATO air policing mission in Lithuania.
    In retaliation, Russia announced on Thursday (May 5) it had declared seven employees of the Danish embassy in Moscow 'persona non grata' in response to a similar move by Copenhagen last month, with Moscow also objecting to Denmark's military assistance to Ukraine.
    Denmark expelled 15 Russian employees at the embassy in Copenhagen in April over spying allegations.
    Neighbouring Sweden and Finland are expected to decide whether to apply to join NATO this month.
    Both countries are seeking military protection assurances during an application process, which could take up to a year to be approved by all NATO's members.
    (Production Janis Laizans, Hedy Beloucif)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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