Latvian Foreign Minister Karinš, who is visiting Japan, gave an exclusive interview to NHK on the 8th, regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which will mark two years this month, saying, ``If we don't stop Russia, the world will face big problems that will cost us a lot of money.'' He expressed a sense of crisis and called for unity, even as it was pointed out that support from the West was becoming fatigued.
Foreign Minister Karinš of Latvia, one of the Baltic countries bordering Russia, visited Japan for four days from the 6th, and gave an interview to NHK in Tokyo on the 8th.
In this regard, Foreign Minister Karinš emphasized that Latvia has consistently continued to provide support to Ukraine, including the provision of weapons, and that the amount of support since the military invasion amounted to approximately 1% of GDP (gross domestic product).
Latvia was annexed to the former Soviet Union and has been a part of it for 50 years, so it has been extremely wary of Russian moves.
"Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine, but it could have been Latvia, which borders Russia. In Latvia, we are confident that the Ukrainian people are fighting Russia on our behalf," Karins said. "There is," he said.
He expressed a sense of crisis, saying, ``If we don't stop Russia, the world will have big problems that will cost a lot of money,'' and said that the United States, which has been Ukraine's biggest donor, is tired of Western aid, with its budget running out. He called for continued support and unity in response to the criticism.
In February, a conference on the economic recovery of Ukraine will be held in Tokyo.
Foreign Minister Karinsh emphasized the importance of Japan's support, stating, ``The people of Ukraine are fighting for a rules-based order, and their support will directly and indirectly benefit Japan.'' He also expressed his intention to advance cooperation.