On May 14th, 2023, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa resigned from her position following the collapse of her coalition government. The downfall began with Siliņa firing Defense Minister Andris Sprūds after Ukrainian drones flew into Latvia from Russia on May 7th and later exploded at an oil storage facility. According to Reuters, Sprūds’ Progressive party responded on May 13th by withdrawing their support of Siliņa, which left the Prime Minister without a majority in Parliament and the risk of a no-confidence motion. 

On the day of her resignation, former Prime Minister Siliņa stated on television “I am resigning, but I am not giving up.” The British Broadcasting Corporation stated that Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs claimed on May 15th that he would make a decision on the “quickest possible formation” of a new government. Moreover, on X, the former Prime Minister wrote that Sprūds “has lost [her] trust and that of the public,” which is ultimately what led to her requesting his resignation. Sprūds also took to X, stating that he decided to leave “to protect the Latvian army from being dragged into a political campaign” and to prevent critics from rethinking the “readiness of the Ministry of Defense, the National Armed Forces,” according to Politico.

The former Prime Minister firing former Minister Sprūds and then resigning herself leaves Latvia in a fragile and incomplete political environment. Former Prime Minister Siliņa currently remains in office until the president can successfully form a new government, which will aid in bridging the gaps. However, the main issue in this circumstance is not regarding the Prime Minister or Defense Minister: it is the ability of wars and conflict outside of one’s own nation to cause great political harm. Baltic nations like Latvia already feel fear over the Russia-Ukraine War and are currently experiencing its real consequences, even if the Ukrainian drones entering Latvian Airspace was an accident. However, Latvia’s actions in response to the drones and the president’s timely dedication to establish a new government can be applauded. By May 16th, the president had already backed the nomination of lawmaker Andris Kulbergs to become Latvia’s new Prime Minister, which now awaits cabinet approval. Moreover, Latvia is now leading a drone coalition to aid Ukraine in ensuring a stable drone supply, calling on NATO to increase air defense in the Baltic region and simultaneously reinforcing its own air defense. On the Ukrainian side, President Zelenskyy’s response should also be applauded regarding his commitment in sending Ukrainian experts to Latvia to help protect its airspace, according to Reuters.

The current Russia-Ukraine War began in 2022, and is still ongoing, affecting not only Russia and Ukraine but NATO and the Baltic Region. Former Latvian Prime Minister Siliņa had served in the role since 2023, and her policies focused on providing support for Ukraine and increasing Latvia’s national defense spending. Despite increased and reinforced defense spending, the Russia-Ukraine War has provided complications and policy changes for the Baltic States, especially Latvia. For example, government instability and collapse, munitions entering airspace, increased defense, and a heavier reliance on NATO have been on the rise. This emphasizes how war and Russian influence can create fear and unrest, even in nations that are seemingly uninvolved, and exposes how war can weaken many different actors. 

The Latvian and Ukrainian response to this incident serves as an example of democratic powers working together through conflict, despite Russia’s goal of power and influence. This incident and its consequences in Latvia further strengthen the need to end the Russia-Ukraine War and find a peaceful solution in the near future. This war is not just affecting the two nations directly involved, but causing numerous complications in many others. Latvia still does not have a formed government, and is currently operating with a Prime Minister who is no longer widely supported. Depending on if Andris Kulbergs forms his new government effectively and gains Parliament approval, Latvia must now begin the transition towards having new leaders at a greatly unexpected time, leaving its defense and foreign policy future currently unknown.