The West must send a strong message to Russia to deter the Kremlin from entering Ukraine, including cutting Russia off of the SWIFT payment system, sanctioning the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and strengthening NATO's eastern flank, according to Latvia on Tuesday.
The U.S. media reported that Russia could be planning a multi-front offensive on Ukraine as early as next year, involving up to 175,000 troops. Russia denies it plans to invade and says the West is gripped by Russophobia.
In an interview in London, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rink vi s told Reuters that Russia needs to know what the economic price tag is.
Rink vi s, who has served as foreign minister since 2011, said it was not clear if Putin was trying to test the resolve of the West or if the Kremlin planned a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Maybe astrology or some other more precise science needs to be involved. But I do believe that Ukraine for Russia and President Putin is an essential part of the vision of a great Russia, Rink vi s said.
If Russia tries to invade Ukraine then the West, Rink vi s said, should prepare a very strong economic sanctions package including cutting Russia off from the SWIFT international payment system used by banks around the world and sanctioning the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
The NATO military alliance should also increase its presence across Eastern Europe to deter Putin and NATO allies from providing arms to Ukraine, Rink vi s said.
He said NATO needs to increase its presence in the eastern flank to show Russia that the price of military adventure in Ukraine is more troops, more defence capability and underlying defence capability in the Baltic States, in Poland, in Romania, in Bulgaria.
NATO has strengthened its presence in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe in recent years, a move that has dismayed the Kremlin.
Rink vi s said battle groups in the Baltics should be strengthened, air defences strengthened, logistical security improved and an increased U.S. presence on the ground.
As a result of what is happening now in and around Ukraine, we need to review where we are with the defence of the eastern flank of NATO, Rink vi s said. That means more capabilities that could send a very strong deterrent message to Russia.