Mūrniece: autumn will be tough, Latvia must urgently reinforce eastern border

Ināra Mūrniece (NA), chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee and former defense minister, has warned that the coming autumn could be a difficult period for Latvia's security. Speaking on TV24's programme "Ziņu top," she said Russia may be preparing for a new military push in Ukraine following its State Duma elections.

According to Mūrniece, Moscow has not concealed its efforts toward mobilization and the buildup of missile stockpiles, which could enable more effective strikes against Ukraine. She believes tensions will rise this autumn.

Risks to NATO's eastern flank

Mūrniece cautioned that Russia's actions in Ukraine could also indirectly affect the situation along NATO's eastern border. However, she was clear that she is not talking about a direct, full-scale attack on the alliance — rather about possible provocations and the need to reinforce strategically important infrastructure.

Lithuania cited as an example

As a good practice, she pointed to Lithuania, where border reinforcement includes restoring wetlands, digging trenches, and building other obstacles to hinder potential enemy movement. Mūrniece believes Latvia should also step up work on its eastern border, using concrete and metal structures as well as anti-mobility measures, including mines.

She stressed that it is important not only to legally allow for the use of mines if needed, but also to prepare in advance everything necessary so they could be deployed quickly.

Call for closer cooperation

Mūrniece urged Latvia to coordinate border-strengthening efforts closely with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland rather than each country acting alone. In her view, better coordination among NATO's eastern flank states is currently the main shortcoming.

She emphasized that Latvia still has time to improve its border defenses, but urged that this be done without delay, since possible provocations and threats to strategic infrastructure must be taken seriously.