“Thank you,” Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs told Canadians this week during a wide-ranging interview in Riga, pointing directly to Canada’s role in leading NATO’s multinational brigade as a critical pillar for European safety.
Prime Minister Kulbergs stated that the Canadian contribution has been substantial and has successfully deterred any thought of a Russian attack in the Baltic region. The remarks come as NATO executes its largest military deployment exercise ever along Latvia’s shared border with Russia and Belarus, mobilizing roughly 3,000 soldiers and 600 military vehicles from the Adazi military base near Riga.
Military Rehearsals and Border Defenses in Eastern Latvia
The Canadian-led brigade has deployed eastward into forests and countryside spanning hundreds of kilometres, with units operating just kilometres from the border. NATO soldiers have engaged in close-quarters combat drills alongside trench and drone warfare exercises.
Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania are actively constructing a 950-kilometre “Baltic Defence Line” featuring anti-tank roadblocks, trenches, and more than 1,000 bunkers. At a shuttered border crossing previously shared by Belarus and Latvia, the Latvian military has installed concrete and barbed-wire barricades, alongside piles of ironclad roadblocks known as hedgehogs.
State Border Guard Inspector Vladimirs Sersts noted that Belarus sits just two metres away from the militarized checkpoint. Kulbergs stated that Moscow is engaged in hybrid warfare by sending waves of migrants through Belarus to test Latvian capabilities and drain local resources.
Did You Know? Latvia’s border guard has installed fencing stretching 145 kilometres along the border with Belarus and an additional 280 kilometres along the Russian border, mirroring infrastructure measures deployed by Ukraine.
Strategic Outlook and Regional Security Discussions
Kulbergs discussed sovereignty, security, and growing economic ties with Prime Minister Mark Carney during the NATO summit in Ankara in July 2026. Their talks covered the energy sector, artificial intelligence, data centres, and the military defence industry.
While Kulbergs believes the Kremlin is currently overstretched in Ukraine and lacks the manpower to strike another nation, he emphasized that Ukraine’s success remains vital for regional stability. As I say, prepare for the worst and have peace,
Kulbergs said. That’s the only way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of the NATO military rehearsal in Latvia?
Roughly 3,000 soldiers and 600 military vehicles mobilized from the Adazi military base to deploy eastward across hundreds of kilometres of forest and countryside near the border.
How long is the planned Baltic Defence Line?
Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania are working to build a roughly 950-kilometre defensive network that includes anti-tank roadblocks, trenches, and more than 1,000 bunkers.
What topics did Prime Minister Kulbergs and Prime Minister Mark Carney discuss?
The two leaders discussed sovereignty, security, the energy sector, artificial intelligence, data centres, and the military defence industry on the sidelines of the July NATO summit in Ankara.
How do you assess the effectiveness of multinational military brigades in deterring hybrid border pressures in Eastern Europe?
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