Latvia's defence minister says direct Russian attack on NATO not feasible

Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis told LETA that a direct conventional Russian military invasion of NATO members is not possible at present.

He argued that Russia is bogged down in its war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces destroying Russian logistics and striking deep targets, preventing Russia from reallocating forces to a large‑scale attack on the Baltic region. Any such move would be detected by NATO and would give Ukraine greater operational freedom.

Melnis added that Russia is already conducting other provocations, such as illegal migration flows and potential drone or “green activist” infiltrations, but Latvia’s armed forces and internal security services are prepared to counter them. He noted NATO is strengthening its forces, and while Russia may rebuild its army in the future, a direct attack on NATO is unlikely in the near term.