On 25 March 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krišjānis Kariņš, while on a working visit in Washington, D.C., the United States, together with his counterparts from the Baltic States, met with the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
The Ministers underlined in a discussion that the outcomes of the NATO Washington summit in July would reassert the power and unity of NATO, the Allies’ further support to Ukraine, and a shared perspective on deterring Russia.
Krišjānis Kariņš, while pointing out that the current year marked the 20th anniversary of Latvia’s NATO membership, thanked the United States for its unwavering support for the security and protection of the Baltic region, including the contribution of USD 228 million to our defence capabilities this year. Recalling the deportations of Latvians and other people from the Baltics 75 years ago, the Foreign Minister emphasised the importance of transatlantic cooperation and US leadership worldwide in order to stand up united for democracy and the safeguarding of the rules-based international order. Russia’s aggression must be stopped and strong support to Ukraine must not be delayed, so as to ensure its victory over the aggressor.
The Foreign Minister also met with Philip Gordon, the National Security Advisor to the US Vice President.
As part of his visit, Krišjānis Kariņš took part in a public discussion at the Hudson Institute think tank on “Enhancing Northern European Security: Why the US Should Listen to the Baltic States?”.
The Minister also had meetings with experts from the Heritage Foundation conservative think tank, the Gallup centre for public opinion polling, and a US-based international think tank, the Atlantic Council, as well as with leading media at the US National Press Club, and he gave an interview to the US National Public Radio.