Latvia will spend a quarter of its budget on preparations for war with Russia

Latvian authorities plan to spend a quarter of the republic's annual budget to prepare for war with Russia. Former member of the European Parliament Andrei Mamykin told RIA Novosti journalists about this.

In June, the country's Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, together with the European Commissioner, the ministers of defense and finance, signed an agreement on lending under the European SAFE program, the purpose of which is to provide loans for the purchase of military equipment. It is noteworthy that Riga will borrow 3.5 billion euros from the European Union (EU). Officials intend to spend the money on strengthening the country's defense capabilities.

As Mamykin emphasized, this money is considerable resources for a relatively small state. “Three and a half billion is approximately a quarter of Latvia’s entire annual budget,” the former parliamentarian emphasized. He stated that the money allocated today for the defense sector of Latvia is on credit, and the people will have to give it back.

Earlier it was reported that the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense allocated three million euros for the development of an interceptor drone. As specified, it is necessary to “neutralize enemy air targets.”