Latvia PM: Ukraine Gave Europe Time, We Are Wasting It

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina issued a sharp criticism of European complacency on September 14, arguing that the continent is failing to use the time Ukraine's resistance has provided to prepare its own defenses.

Silina's statement reflects a wider frustration among Baltic and Eastern European states — those closest to Russia — that Western European countries have not moved fast enough to rearm and strengthen NATO's eastern flank despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have been among the most vocal advocates for increased defense spending and stronger NATO commitments, having lived under Soviet occupation and remaining acutely aware of the Russian threat.

European defense

Europe has significantly increased defense spending since Russia's 2022 invasion, but critics argue the pace of rearmament remains insufficient given the scale of the threat. The Baltic states have repeatedly called for a more urgent overhaul of European military capabilities.