Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Flickr

Latvia to end up all alone against Mr Putin?

Discussing defence. A discussion on FB was triggered by the alarmist interpretation of the warnings offered by Andrei Illarionov, a former advisor to Vladimir Putin. Mr Illarionov suggests his former boss may target the Baltics, Finland and Poland in his “strategy” to “restore” the “empire”. This speculation has captured the imagination of many people, and drawn their attention from the very real and ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

Hysterical alarmism is easier than facing the real challenge. Putin is taking advantage of Ukraine’s being ravaged by decades of corruption and mismanagement. Isn’t this enough to worry about? While exaggerating about (at least) Finland and Poland, Mr Illarionov is calling for action now, when Putin is invading Crimea and amassing troops on the Ukrainian mainland border.

It seems that Putin is only waiting impatiently when the West gives him a reason grounded enough to seal the country. Then he’ll crack down on any still creeping and breathing dissent and send his country back to the pre-1862 era, before Alexander II of Russia abolished serfdom, only to throw the country into a bloody mess.

Now about Finland and Latvia that may be at risk.

I am no military expert of course and have no intention to speculate how Finland or Latvia may or may not ward off Russian aggression. I’ll use this opportunity to speculate on my favourite subject of values and identity.

Finland may not me a formal Nato member, but there should not be a single doubt about Finland enjoying all the West’s backing, having very strong and influential allies. This is a far more powerful assurance for Finland’s security than formal Nato membership for countries such as Latvia or, say, Albania. Of course, Finland would be much better off inside the Nato, so the allies had all formalities clear in advance for engagement in case of emergency. The same goes for Sweden. Still, it is absolutely clear that Finland and Sweden are not alone up against a military threat.

Yes, it is every country’s responsibility to defend itself. For such dwarfs like Latvia or Finland, the defence policy should be all about building strong ties, creating associations, earning allies, sharing values and keeping company to those powerful ones. Rather than building muscles. Estonia seems to be learning it as we speak. Lithuania is on its way to it. The keys to our national independence are in the pockets of the Nordics, Brussels, and of course the US. Our security is in being part of the West.

Countries like Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia and unfortunately, Latvia—to a certain extent, definitely more so than Estonia or Lithuania—have been wasting decades now trying to be friends with Moscow while flirting with the West, some countries more, some less, pretending to be “bridges”, finding their ways of being “indispensable”.

Even today, ten years after Latvia joined the Nato and the EU, Latvia still has not realised there are no empires left in the world. There is no one to rule the world. There are no uniform consolidated interests that the West would pursue with all its might, apart from those of defending the values of democracy, freedom and liberties shared by Western societies.

In this respect, it is extremely important to acknowledge that there is no adversary to Moscow in its raid against Ukraine. There is no adversary that could justify Moscow’s use of military force. Moscow is all alone in this “battle”—in pillaging, lying and triggering a new war.

The West is not shopping in Europe, because Europe is core West and Europe is where liberal values are not questioned. The West does need to “shop” in other countries, in order to buy peace and at least a chance for a better future for everyone.

The West now seems to be forced to “shop” in Ukraine, offering loans to save Ukraine from bankruptcy, a logical consequence of the kleptocratic regime in Kiev. Many Latvians would imagine the West should be shopping in Latvia to reward them for their “loyalty” to Brussels. The West wouldn’t do this in Europe.

But if it shops somewhere, this place does not belong to Europe, not part of the West. This is somewhere else, low life, where the West may or may not get involved to protect someone from mass murder, atrocities or a foreign aggression. Non-Europe is lower or no priority.

This is why Finland is protected and Estonia is in a good position, whereas Latvia may want to get busy fixing up gaps in its Western identity.

116 thoughts on “Latvia to end up all alone against Mr Putin?”

  61. z3ngj

    can i purchase clomid for sale generic clomiphene without prescription can you buy clomiphene without insurance buying clomid can i buy generic clomid pill order generic clomiphene prices clomid usa

    Reply
  95. riwrattre

    Partner merytoryczny ICONIC London Ultimate Brush Set Jak potwierdziła Mari-Claudia Jimenez, prezes Sotheby’s Americas, skrzypce pochodzą ze „złotego okresu” Stradivariego, który rozpoczął się po 1700 roku i w jego trakcie spod ręki lutnika wyszły jego najsłynniejsze skrzypce. Stan zachowania obecnego instrumentu oceniono jako „niezwykły”. „Można je nastroić i grać” – stwierdził ekspert Sotheby’s. Francuzki hon daje idealne Stymulacja stopami w POV-Amatorki porno. Szczupła Francuska Amatorka ma seksowne stopy, którym trudno się oprzeć. Laska daje kutasowi idealny footjob w POV i nie zatrzymuje się, aż do ogromnego wytrysku na nogi! Sortuj według: Jak potwierdziła Mari-Claudia Jimenez, prezes Sotheby’s Americas, skrzypce pochodzą ze „złotego okresu” Stradivariego, który rozpoczął się po 1700 roku i w jego trakcie spod ręki lutnika wyszły jego najsłynniejsze skrzypce. Stan zachowania obecnego instrumentu oceniono jako „niezwykły”. „Można je nastroić i grać” – stwierdził ekspert Sotheby’s.
    https://schoolullixy1986.raidersfanteamshop.com/joker-stoker-pl
    Dowiedz się, aby przyciągnąć nowych graczy i utrzymać obecnych klientów. Gracz może ponownie grać w rundzie bonusowej, a gry automatycznie dostosowują się do rozmiaru ekranu. Automaty iOS z bonusami – graj i zyskuj dodatkowe nagrody, darmowe spiny andy capp bez depozytu w jaki witryny gier starają się przyciągnąć graczy. A jeśli potrzebujesz pomocy, kultowym riffem gitarowym i tekstami zawierającymi prawdziwą zaporę pokerowych odniesień. SMAKI: czerwona pomarańcza | malina z limonką Jeśli jesteś fanem gry ryzyka, jak sobie radzisz. Automat do gier thor infinity reels gra za darmo bez rejestracji mogą one mieć wyraźną różnicę i dać graczom wszystkie właściwe rzeczy, że są wygodne z witryny uczy i gry slot do gry. Thors Vengeance to w dużej mierze Przeciętny automat, jestem zafascynowany tym. Więc z obu odpowiedzi, jak temat działa na rozgrywce. Baccarat ios za darmo – graj i rozwijaj swoje umiejętności!

    Reply
  99. Etoopf

    Dive into kings maxxwins Casino today and claim your epic welcome package! Play just $5 to unlock 500 exciting spins on Cash Eruption games plus up to $1,000 back in credits if luck isn’t on your side in the first 24 hours. Experience top slots, live tables, and exclusive games—your crown awaits!

    Reply
  101. Axjsxd

    Upon the millions delightful big on fanduel casino Kentucky – the #1 legitimate pelf casino app in America.
    Pick up your $1000 TEASE IT AGAIN honorarium and deny b decrease every spin, хэнд and roll into official cash rewards.
    Fast payouts, whopping jackpots, and continuous effect – download FanDuel Casino any longer and start playing like a pro today!

    Reply
  105. 188V

    188V là nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến được nhiều người chơi Việt Nam tin tưởng nhờ hệ thống link truy cập ổn định, không chặn và bảo mật cao. Giao diện được tối ưu cho cả mobile lẫn PC, tốc độ tải nhanh, dễ thao tác, phù hợp cho cả người mới lẫn bet thủ lâu năm. TONY07-05

    Reply
  108. sglpgsdtjilo

    Big Bass Halloween 3 Yes, they are exactly the same – except for the fact that you can’t win any real money when playing games for free. The fact that they’re the same means that those who have practiced will know exactly what to expect when they make the transition to real money gaming. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Sweet Bonanza Bingo Epic Slots released every week. Prefer a bit of online bingo? Try our exciting bingo rooms, including Bingo Big, where jackpots are always up for grabs. If instant wins are your game, our scratchcards deliver quick thrills and big prizes. Don’t miss the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” scratchcard, offering an incredible £1 million top prize – the ultimate instant win experience.
    https://forum.luanti.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=56114
    With any casino platform, the games and titles it offers are paramount. As a result of this, having a vast catalogue of online casino games on a site can determine the experience a player may have. Whether it is an abundant number of slots from the various design studios active within the iGaming space or one of the more traditional table-based titles that first defined the casino experience, the online casino games available today are now more diverse and varied than ever before.  Big Bass Bonanza Megaways- More fish than ever as Big Bass Bonanza is back with over 46,000+ ways to win. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways ups the ante with 6 reels of fishin’ frenzy and an upgraded max win of up to 4,000x your total bet. The fish is back and, this time, there’s plenty more of them in the lake. The highlight of playing the bigger bass bonanza demo is undoubtedly its bonus rounds. These special features can significantly boost your bankroll:

    Reply
  109. onhggytyrhsn

    The fastest and easiest way to create a Bodyshake AI video is through MyEdit’s Image to Video tool. The new “Bodyshake” template adds rhythmic dance motions to your photo, complete with energetic animation and music. Boost the engagement of your content with SeaArt’s AI dance video generator. Share your AI dance creations on social media platforms and watch them go viral. Whether you want to join the latest trend on TikTok or share funny memes to spark laughter, our AI dance generator can help you capture the attention of viewers. Email: No complicated skills! Simply import a group photo and breathe it into new life with the Clipfly AI team dance generator. Import, customize, and Generate! Three clicks make a marvelous group dancing video. With Cliplfy’s cutting-edge AI group dance video maker, you will get a funny and vibrant dancing animation in minutes! You can also effortlessly animate your photos with AI in different movements now!
    https://issuu.com/ivananabria12
    Big Bass Bonanza 1000 immerses enthusiasts of the series into a recognisable marine environment. The seabed is depicted with dark blue and turquoise waters, adding depth to the scene. Additional details like rocks, seaweed, corals, and small fish contribute to the setting’s realism. Moreover, the game grid features a variety of symbols, including 10-A figures, alongside fish, toolboxes, fishing reels, dragonflies, and floats. This setting is complemented by a fitting soundtrack that enhances the underwater theme. Follow us on social media – Daily posts, no deposit bonuses, new slots, and more Every Fish has a random prize displayed at the bottom. It can significantly boost the overall payout at any moment. Whenever the Angler icon lands, it catches every visible fish and collects prizes. If you’re looking to try the demo slot Bigger Bass version first, it’s a great way to see how bonus features and prize mechanics unfold without the pressure of real-money play.

    Reply
  110. gquryayyuyog

    Sticker And FontsInShot Pro APK 2025 unlocks a vast collection of premium stickers and fonts to enhance your video creativity. Add fun and expressive animated emojis to bring your content to life, or choose themed stickers for any occasion—birthdays, Family outing , Dance Party , Friends Meetups ,weddings, Halloween, winter, and more. Plus, create stunning text overlays with a variety of modern fonts, including Sans-serif, Handwritten, and Serif, perfect for captions and titles. Download InShot Pro APK now and elevate your videos with stylish fonts and eye-catching stickers Have an APK file for an alpha, beta, or staged rollout update? Just drop it below, fill in any details you know, and we’ll do the rest! And to make it super easy to edit and make your videos looking absolutely gorgeous, VN Video Editor Maker VlogNow also offers its amazing library of interesting video effects and filters, which can even rival the likes of VivaCut, PowerDirector and other great apps. Start by customizing the colors and themes with many built-in filters from the app. Or you can import LUT filters from other sources to further diversify your library. Have fun picking up many different transition effects for your video clips to make the merged videos more interesting. And feel free to customize the video speed to enable unique time-lapsed or slow-motion effects on your selected footages.
    https://skitterphoto.com/photographers/3061462/liambrooks
    The MacBook Pro 14 M3 has a lot to offer photo editors, particularly with its stunning Liquid Retina XDR display that offers exceptional color accuracy and contrast. The reintroduction of the SD card slot is helpful for photographers, eliminating the need for dongles during image transfers. The M3 chip handles photo editing tasks with impressive speed, showing particular strength when working with apps like Lightroom and Photoshop. Compatible with OS X 10.15+. Drag the OpenShot icon into your Applications. Canva is not only a video editor. It’s really a tool for creating business or social media visuals of all kinds, with a wide range of ready-to-go templates and assets for quickly building dynamic and professional-looking content. You can combine, trim and re-order multiple video clips in the timeline, and add titles, intros and outros that produce basic but perfectly serviceable videos for YouTube, websites or other social channels. If you’re someone who already works in the Canva ecosystem, as many people do who make content for social media, then it could make the most sense for Canva to also be your video editor of choice.

    Reply
  111. zvkfoniojzno

    And who doesn’t like the idea of hitting the online casino slots reels with a bang? The Dynamite Feature will also blast away low-value symbols to reveal some more favourable winning combos. It’s time to go fishing with this epic angler’s adventure! Cast off into the crystal-clear waters of Big Bass Bonanza with this exciting Slot Big Bass Bonanza uses a fishing theme, with the reels floating just below the ocean’s surface. Blue depths are the game’s background scenery, filled with fish, seaweed, and bubbles. The online slot has a nice funky tune as its soundtrack, setting a perfect atmosphere for an adventure on the open sea. Graphics are brightly-coloured, crisp and well-executed. We love both of them. The other fishing-themed games on Mirror Bingo are also all great. Which one you like best depends on you as an individual, and you won’t know which you like for sure until you try them!
    https://www.thitrungruangclinic.com/forum/topic/211382/why-doctor-spins-casino-uk-has-become-my-favorite-casino
    The fisherman is the wild symbol in Big Bass Bonanza. He can replace any symbol except for scatters. Landing a fisherman can lead to big wins, as he collects all the cash values on the reels. During the Free Spins round, the fisherman becomes even more important. Each time he appears, he not only collects all the fish but also triggers a reel upgrade, leading to potentially bigger wins. When a fisherman lands without any fish in view to collect, he can throw a stick of dynamite to bring fish to the surface, which he then collects as normal. There is also a new hook feature similar to the dynamite spin – when a fisherman lands with no fish in view, on a random chance a hook is dropped below the screen to try and lift up fish that have escaped landing on the reels. The core mechanic across all Big Bass slots is the fishing-themed bonus round where the fisherman wild collects money values from fish symbols. This feature works as follows:

    Reply
  112. mdkmxholetdl

    Transform static images into dynamic videos with HitPaw Edimakor AI Image to Video Generator! Create AI kiss, fight, hug, hand heart, pet cooking videos, or customize prompts to bring your photos to life. Detailed information about your video files for easier organisation and search. See why the most ambitious 2D productions around the world choose Harmony. Having an all-in-one animation solution allows artists in studios to collaborate using the same programs and project files, from drawing roughs to rigging characters and compositing. Whether you work with hand drawn animation or character rigs, Harmony gives artists everything you need to animate with style. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need expensive software to create animated clips. In fact, you can make these videos for free. Check out some of the best free animation software for beginners, experts, and everyone else. 
    https://forums.auran.com/members/vivienneclairmont.1286497/#about
    Phone-based apps for animation consist of a mix of pre-created animation effects and visuals you can add to existing video footage. Some apps can take your existing video footage and use AI to redesign your videos to look like they were created using animation. TutorialStroke animationsAnimate the stroke style and stroke properties such as offset and dashes. 3D asset platform offering ready-to-use rigged characters and mocap animations. A video animation maker allows users to create animated video content by providing tools and features to design, animate, and render images. Users can manipulate objects, add effects, and create a sequence of images to generate the illusion of movement. Animaker is an online animation video-making platform that allows users to create professional-looking animated videos, presentations, and infographics. This animation software free download is best for motion graphics animation and users can also upload their own images or use the built-in image library to personalize their videos further.

    Reply
  113. fewbtmvyuxpl

    Wisecut will automatically pick a song and tailor the music to fit your video. Additionally, Wisecut will perform audio ducking, automatically lowering the music when someone is speaking and increasing it when there is no speech. Home » Design » 6 Best Free Video Editor Softwares For PC (2025) – Free Video Editing Apps For PC Video StabilizerEasily stabilize shaky videos Free and User-Friendly Selfie Editor for Smartphones Apply layouts for instant, elegant design. You have dozens to choose from, all created by video pros—but you can customize them however you want. Or save your own branded layout packs for quick recognition. Our paid plans come integrated with access to premium stock footage, images, and music library from iStock, Shutterstock, and Storyblocks. Create an unlimited number of video clips across video formats for a fixed price each month.
    https://hub.docker.com/u/fionabarrett
    The features of the game are also fun and interesting, triple or quadruple ones winnings. Take a moment to get familiar with the basic mechanisms of the game and get to know the characters a little better in our complete review of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn, but there are slot variations where multipliers can increase the amount one wins 100x or even 1,000x. Along with wonderful bonus features, you play for the bearded adventurer located in the left lower corner. The Big Bass Bonanza slot series dives deeper with Big Bass Bonanza Megaways. While the core theme remains the same, this version gets a revamped Megaways makeover. The slot takes place across 6 reels and introduces an extra 4 symbol reel allowing for a whopping 46,656 ways to win and up to 4,000x bet. We enjoyed spinning the reels of Big Bass Bonanza and it is easy to see why this slot is so popular amongst online slot fans. While it is not a new slot, it offers many of the exciting features that you would find in new games. What makes it great is that its not overcomplicated. There is more to this slot than just a wild symbol and free spins bonus round but it remains easy to spin. Highlights for us include the 10x multiplier up for grabs in the free spins feature, the Big Bass scatter symbols and the chance to get more fish symbols with cash values attached via the fisherman wild.

    Reply
  114. arhcdufugnfy

    Kapwing is an online video editor that allows users to edit videos collaboratively. It’s known for its simplicity and efficiency, making it ideal for content creators and educators who want a no-fuss editing solution. Other notable features include the ability to add a green screen effect, overlays, custom text, and stickers. When it comes to adding music, Edits provides many licensed tracks that you can use (though which won’t save if you download your video rather than sharing it to Instagram. 3. AI Tools Save Time The AI tools are helpful. Auto captions are about 95% accurate when the sound is clear. The smart cut tool picks out the good parts of your video, and one-click tools like color fixing and stabilizing work well and save a lot of time. Movavi Video Editor has become a popular choice among creators who prefer editing on desktop, offering a balance between user-friendly design and powerful editing tools. Unlike CapCut’s mobile-first approach, Movavi is tailored for Windows and Mac users, making it a go-to option for longer, more polished projects.
    https://pad.koeln.ccc.de/s/M1-BTsVFM
    The secret to winning cash prizes when playing online slots such as Big Bass Bonanza, is to pick games that suit your playing style – and we’re here to help with that. Whether you want to know the best casino offering Big Bass Bonanza or you’d like to know the Buffalo Blitz slot RTP, we’re your one-stop destination for all things casino-related, so you can relax and enjoy the gameplay with one of our fantastic bonus offers. We create a winner every minute‡. At Jackpotjoy, we pride ourselves in creating lots of winning moments for our members. In fact, we created 22 winning moments a minute in 2024! That’s a lot of happy dances. Great overall experience. I had a few questions about their chess boards, and their customer support team replied promptly. The delivery was a bit delayed by one day, but the set arrived in perfect condition

    Reply
  115. rvvlzgadvkce

    CapCut is a free video editing tool owned by ByteDance — the Chinese tech company better known for being behind video-sharing app TikTok. As such, CapCut syncs rather well with TikTok and is an ideal free choice if you’re looking to create video for the platform. Free to download for Windows and Mac, the desktop version offers more advanced functionality than the popular mobile app version that features in our best video editing apps for phones guide. I’m open to both free and paid options, but reliability and ease of use are my top priorities. If you’ve used any great video editing tools on Windows 11, I’d love to hear your experiences and suggestions! The Smart Conform function examines your clips and crops them accordingly to focus on the primary element in the video and ensure they are sized correctly for different platforms. This is ideal for marketers who want to publish their videos on different social media platforms. Since each platform has its own size requirement, this can save so much time in the long run.
    https://pad.codefor.fr/s/MBDwgeQprZ
    Big Bass Bonanza functions in a very similar way to most other online slots. To win, you need to land the same symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, one a payline. Wild symbols substitute for others to create more winning combinations, plus there’s a free spins round with money symbols. If you’re a fan of online slots, then the Big Bass Bonanza demo is likely to lure you in with its exciting theme and engaging gameplay. Set against a serene backdrop of lakes and fishing, this slot game brings the joys of fishing into the virtual casino world. As you spin the reels, you’ll not only enjoy the stunning graphics but also uncover unique features that keep the excitement flowing. Let’s dive deeper into what makes this game a must-try for both seasoned players and newcomers. Monetary incentives are distributed to player that signup with an Online Casino. Initially, they’ll acquire various promotions after formalising an account. The finances retained throughout those bonuses can be positioned towards gambling products like Bigger Bass Bonanza™. You’ll maintain superior capabilities at accentuating your wager & this way acquiring game modifiers like the Scattered Bass Free Spins or Fishermen Wilds. We’ve identified what readers can anticipate from those bonus features down below.

    Reply
  116. tfzpkknvurax

    Alight Motion is developed and provided by Alight Motion. LDPlayer offers the download service only. ALight Motion is a popular video editing app because it has a amazing visual effects, motion graphics, high quality animations,good video composition and much more. Similarly, Game Vault offers the same kind of advanced experience but in the world of online gaming, where players enjoy high-quality graphics, smooth performance, and engaging features that make gameplay more exciting and professional. 1.0.0.0.1 is an IP address often used in private networks for device identification and communication. Unlike the original version of the app where you get confined to the watermark slot, the mod version allows you to remove the watermark and add an amplified professionalism to your creations. Also, the incredible functional support with all the lagging issues fixed is stimulated in this app which also adds fun to your editing journey. You can also download Alight Motion Old Versions if you’re facing any problems with new version.
    https://jobs.emiogp.com/author/subsbeartisa1979/
    Enlight Pixaloop is the last app mentioned here for animating old photos, which uses a large number of effects and animation tools to give life and charm to your old photos for free. Pixaloop has a fantastic cloud wallpaper that allows users to add memorable photos to it before adding effects. Users can choose different backgrounds if they wish. Pixaloop also allows users to crop pictures from old videos before animating them. New users will be guided by AI. But Enlight Pixaloop needs to be upgraded to unlock the full features. We liked that it would convert live photos into video and enables users to join images together to create stop motion sequences. If you want to remove the watermark, access the stickers or add animated text effects you’ll need to upgrade to pro version of the app. You get up to 10 fully customizable photo effects, filters, presets, or overlays for a single photo. This allows the user to use Vimage animate photo app with infinite creative possibilities. Furthermore, this animated photo app can export high-quality creations up to 2560p. The app that moves pictures allows users to choose between flow or stretch animators to achieve breathtaking motion photos.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

TAGS