Russia's aggressiveness in Ukraine worries Baltic region

Russian aggressiveness toward Ukraine is making the Baltic region nervous, Latvia's ambassador to the United States said at a Feb. 5 National Press Club Newsmaker.

Latvians are “nervous and concerned” over increased tensions between the West and neighboring Russia, Andris Razans said. "This situation is really getting worse."

As an example, he pointed to Russian army units moving “freely over borders” to Ukraine. But he also said there has been a “very strong and bright response from NATO when it comes to the security of NATO allies...especially the Baltic countries.”

The diplomat, who also served as Latvian ambassador to Sweden, Mexico and Morocco, said his government was unsurprised by Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine and Crimea, since Russian President Putin continues to increase the country's defensive strength. He added that many Latvians remember what life was like under Soviet Communist rule.

Razans came to the Club to discuss Latvia's first turn at the presidency of the Council of the European Union. He said that Latvia will focus on improving the bloc's individual members “relations---both economic and defense—with their immediate neighbors.”

Referring to the small size of the Baltic republic, 2.5 million, Razans said it not always the larger EU countries that produce the better presidencies.

"The smaller ones may not have hidden agendas or gigantic companies trying to influence...trade (which can) allow them to have more effective presidencies,” he said.