Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs asserted on Friday that Russian is “not in a position” to demand new security arrangements from Europe, pushing back against Moscow’s attempts to influence continent-wide policy during ongoing Ukraine negotiations.
The comments, made in Dublin following a meeting of European Union leaders, come as Western powers navigate the next steps in the conflict. While US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi recently resulted in a prisoner exchange, Kulbergs warned that the current diplomatic climate lacks the substance of genuine peace-building.
Moscow has sought to include broader European security frameworks as part of the discussions to halt the war in Ukraine. This move has drawn strong pushback from European leaders who argue that Russian is not in a position to make demands given Europe’s size and capabilities.
“Europe is the military power. Europe is times bigger in military, times bigger in economy, and in leadership. So I think they are not in a position to really put on a table demands,” Kulbergs told AFP. The Prime Minister emphasized that European leaders must recognize their relative capabilities when evaluating Russian proposals.
As the United States continues to lead efforts to end the fighting, European nations have secured a role in future talks. Following a decision in Dublin, Europe would be represented by Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the EU’s institutions.
Kulbergs described the agreement on European representation as “a good decision,” allowing the bloc to shift its focus toward the actual content of potential negotiations. Despite this progress, the Latvian leader is skeptical of Russian intentions, noting that the recent prisoner release—while positive—does not show a desire for lasting peace.
With winter approaching, there is an urgent call for sustained support for Kyiv. According to reports from the region, officials say the coming months are vital for maintaining Ukraine's defense posture.
Kulbergs urged the United States to utilize its influence to push Russian toward authentic negotiations. He suggested stricter sanctions and the provision of “real weapons” to Ukraine. For the Latvian leader, the path to a resolution remains tied to firm military support and sanctions rather than the security framework demands currently pushed by Moscow.
