Latvia

Brian McDonald @BrianMcDonaldIE · Aug 17, 2026 Latvia, which has promoted one of the EU’s most hawkish policies towards Russia since joining the bloc in 2004, is now asking Brussels for €7 billion to cover the costs of confronting Moscow. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says the money should compensate Latvia for higher defence spending and lost Russian trade, while covering nearly half of its projected €15.1 billion defence bill between 2028 and 2034. https://x.com/BrianMcDonaldIE/status/2089315404925567249