Peters Visits Latvia, Lithuania to Discuss NATO Mission in the Baltic Region
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, recently visited Latvia and Lithuania to discuss the U.S. European Command mission and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) activity in the Baltic region in the midst of continued Russian aggression. During the trip, Peters also met with soldiers and airmen from Michigan’s Army National Guard and Air National Guard, who participated in Operation Saber Strike - an annual joint military exercise in Eastern Europe with the United States and over a dozen NATO member nations.
“Russia has worked aggressively to undermine democracy and freedom across the globe – from their illegal incursions into Ukraine to their efforts to influence American elections. Our NATO allies in Eastern Europe sit on the frontlines of Russian aggression, and it is critical that the United States sends an unequivocal message that we will stand united against any threats to our interests and security,” said Senator Peters. “During my visit to Latvia and Lithuania, I heard firsthand from officials in these border countries about the threats they face from Russia on a daily basis. I am extremely proud that Michigan’s National Guardsmen are such a critical part of the United States and NATO defenses, and I was honored to personally thank them for their service.”
“The Michigan National Guard greatly values its long-standing and mutually beneficial partnership with Latvia, and I’m proud of our servicemembers for their roles in helping shore up our allies’ defenses,” said Major General Gregory Vadnais, Adjutant General, Michigan National Guard. “I was happy to have Senator Peters meet with members of the Michigan National Guard in Latvia as they completed their Operation Saber Strike exercises. We look forward to having Latvian servicemembers join us for Operation Northern Strike in Michigan later this year.”
In Latvia, Peters met with State Secretary of Defense Janis Garisons, Commander of Latvian Land Forces Col. Ilmars Lejins, and State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Andrejs Pildefovics. During their meetings, Peters was briefed on wide-ranging threats to Latvian security and their efforts to deter Russian military threats on the border. Peters also visited the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Riga, where he learned more about Russian propaganda practices aimed at undermining and destabilizing democracies like Latvia and Lithuania. He also met with representatives from the Baltic Centre of Media Excellence, an organization dedicated to improving journalism and countering propaganda.
For over 20 years, Michigan’s National Guard has worked jointly with Latvia’s military through the State Partnership Program, participating in joint training and exercises in both Europe and Michigan. The State Partnership Program connects state national guards with partner countries around the world, and the Michigan-Latvia partnership was among the first established through the program. As part of this partnership, members of the Latvian military also participate in Operation Northern Strike in Northern Michigan, an annual military training.
Following his visit to Latvia, Peters visited Lithuania, where he met with Lithuanian and American military officials and observed joint military exercises. These exercises are part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence and the United States’ European Reassurance Initiative designed to reassure U.S. allies and deter adversaries in Eastern Europe. Peters additionally met with Major General John Gronski, who serves as Deputy Commanding General for the Army National Guard, U.S. Army Europe.
Last week, Peters cosponsored a bipartisan amendment that passed the Senate reaffirming American commitment to NATO’s Article 5 provision for collective defense among member nations. In February, Peters attended the Munich Security Conference, where he met with global high-ranking government officials to discuss political, economic, and military and security issues affecting transatlantic relations. Last year, Senator Peters joined a Congressional delegation traveling to Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Iceland, where the delegation discussed with allies national security issues, including the threat from Russian aggression and the importance of U.S. partnerships with European allies.
