Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone with Latvian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks today to discuss the current situation along NATO’s Eastern Flank and reaffirm the strong relationship between the United States and Latvia. They discussed a wide range of bilateral defense issues including unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia’s destabilizing actions in eastern Europe, and the Belarus regime’s hybrid actions along Latvia’s border. The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing readiness and interoperability between the U.S. and Latvian National Armed Forces. The Secretary thanked Minister Pabriks for Latvia’s continued commitment to improving its defense capabilities.