Janice R. Andrews
Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkevics has raised alarm about Vladimir Putin’s potential expansionist plans beyond Ukraine. His assessment suggests Putin’s drive to restore Russian imperial power could threaten three key areas: Moldavia, parts of the Caucasus, and Central Asian territories.
Rinkevics points to Putin’s “imperial nostalgia” as the driving force behind these ambitions. The Latvian president outlines a concerning scenario: whether Russia succeeds or fails in Ukraine, Europe faces serious security challenges. A Russian victory might encourage further territorial grabs, while a defeat could fuel retaliatory actions.
Looking ahead, Rinkevics predicts that European security will remain under pressure for “years, if not decades” as Putin pursues his broader geopolitical aims.
