Latvian defence minister has 'no doubt' US would aid NATO allies if needed

Published connected 23/04/2026 - 10:05 GMT+2•Updated 10:07

The US and its NATO allies have, connected "a applicable and subject level", an "excellent relationship" and cooperate continuously, Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds told Euronews' flagship greeting programme, Europe Today.

"I spot that the confederation remains strong, that it is 1 for all, each for one, that it is beneficial for each subordinate states, including the United States," Sprūds said, adding that helium prefers to absorption much connected "practical cooperation" alternatively than the denigrating nationalist statements coming from the White House.

Minister Sprūds besides affirmed that helium has "no uncertainty that the US would travel to help" should the Alliance's communal defence clause, Article 5, beryllium triggered.

Relations betwixt the US and different NATO allies person reached a historical debased since President Donald Trump's instrumentality to the White House, and person further deteriorated amid the Iran war.

Trump has publically disparaged NATO allies for refusing to travel to the US's assistance successful its operations successful the Middle East, and has openly threatened a US exit from the alliance.

Asked whether the Iran warfare risks diverting US-made weapons and subject hardware from Ukraine and Europe to the Middle East, thereby undermining European security, Sprūds acknowledged "potential shortages".

"We mightiness spot immoderate shortages, and immoderate countries person admitted it, that really determination are immoderate delays," Sprūds said, but attributed the shortages to broader limitations successful the planetary defence industry.

In the run-up to its archetypal attacks connected Iran successful precocious February, the US carried retired its largest build-up of subject assets successful the Middle East since its 2003 penetration of Iraq, prompting fears of shortages elsewhere.

US officials person warned immoderate European nations of imaginable delays to the transportation of antecedently approved orders of US-made weapons amid a stockpile strain. The Nordic and Baltic countries are feared to beryllium peculiarly affected.

US and Europe should lick Hormuz situation 'together'

Sprūds besides indicated that determination is an appetite successful Europe to lend to the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategical waterway which has been efficaciously closed for the past 2 months amid hostilities successful the Middle East, prompting a planetary vigor shock.

He added that Latvia stood acceptable to lend to associated European efforts to reopen the Strait erstwhile hostilities had ended. France and the UK are jointly spearheading efforts to hole a ngo to the Strait, with NATO subject planners processing the plan.

While the details of these plans are scarce, officials accidental the absorption would beryllium connected some restoring escaped navigation and demining efforts.

Sprūds besides welcomed the commencement of the process to unblock the EU's €90 cardinal indebtedness for Ukraine and the 20th bundle of sanctions against Russia. While the indebtedness is "crucial", helium called for further European efforts to enactment Ukraine successful a presumption of strength.

"Ukraine fights our warfare arsenic well. Ukraine defends our values and interests."