“We do not see a direct threat,” the US ambassador to NATO comments on the security concerns of the Baltic states

At the same time, Smith assured that she considers the threat of Russia to NATO as the main direct threat that must be fought against: “We have seen it many times in history – if a dictator or an authoritarian leader is not stopped, they keep going.” Therefore, according to her, it is important “to push Russia out of Ukrainian lands and stop unprovoked aggression.”

“If they fail, of course the concern is that Russia will continue [uzbrukt citām valstīm],” said Smith.

At the same time, she assured that NATO does not see a direct threat either in the Baltic region or in other alliance territories: “I want to say to our friends in the Baltic states – we do not see a direct threat to the NATO territory either in the Baltic region or, frankly, in any other region.”

“Over the past two years, we have taken many steps to strengthen deterrence and defense, especially on the eastern flank. We take the security issues of our friends in the Baltic States very seriously and are taking active steps to improve our position there,” she added.

According to Smith, there are new regional plans that allow “knowing exactly what needs to be done to protect every centimeter of NATO territory.”

“I don’t want our friends in the Baltic countries to get the impression that a war will suddenly break out on the territory of NATO. We take it seriously, but we don’t see it as an immediate threat,” Smith emphasized.

At the same time, she also stated: “We are not sending a signal to anyone that war is inevitable. We see that Russia is fully engaged in its unprovoked war of aggression inside Ukraine, but we have no indicators and no warnings that a Russian war on NATO territory is inevitable, and I really want to make that clear.”

Smith reminded that the United States does not support the idea of ​​sending troops to war in Ukraine, but tries to continue supporting Ukraine and its defense against Russian aggression.

Regarding US aid to Ukraine, she said: “We believe that Ukraine urgently needs this aid right now. Our friends in Ukraine are facing deficits, so it’s important that US aid continues to flow. We have encouraged members of Congress in both the House and Senate … I look forward to seeing a vote as soon as possible so that we can provide this critical assistance to our friends in Ukraine on the battlefield.”