“If we are serious about Nato and European defence then we need to increase defence spending. We also agree with President Trump that all nations should spend more on defence. We believe 2 per cent is the absolute minimum,” he added.
But Mr Rinkevics launched a passionate defence of Latvia and other smaller European countries after Mr Trump called Montenegro “very aggressive” and suggested that countries such as these could even spark world war three.“Latvia, like the other Baltic states, wanted to join Nato because of our historical experience under the Soviet Union. We know what it is like to be the victim of aggression. Believe me, Latvia has no intent through any provocative behaviour of launching world war three,” he said.
Mr Trump, asked by Fox News’ Tucker Carlson why his son should go to defend Montenegro, answered: “I’ve asked the same question.” Asked if that undermined Nato’s commitment to collective defence, Mr Rinkevics said: “We should dispute those kind of fears and worries that some people have about smaller nations getting larger nations into world war three whether it be Latvia, Montenegro or Luxembourg.”
https://www.ft.com/content/20fc6a4e-8be6-11e8-b18d-0181731a0340