Latvia maintains security assessment after CIA director's Moscow visit

Latvian officials have stated that the country’s assessment of the military threat from Russia remains unchanged following an undisclosed visit to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe. While the risk of a direct invasion is currently considered low, Latvian authorities emphasized the ongoing high likelihood of hybrid operations, cyberattacks, and sabotage.

Reports indicate that during his meeting with Russian officials, Ratcliffe warned against escalatory actions targeting NATO member states, specifically the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The CIA Director also reportedly urged Moscow to decrease its military and economic support for Iran. Russian Foreign Intelligence Service director Sergey Naryshkin confirmed the meeting took place, describing it as an “ordinary matter.”

In response to heightened regional tensions and the frequent detection of drones and unidentified objects in its airspace, Latvia’s Ministry of Climate and Energy has proposed a state of emergency for eastern border regions. This proposed measure, effective until December 1, would cover healthcare, energy supply, and water management to mitigate risks of escalation.