Pro-Ukrainian Latvian PM resigns

August 15 ------ Krisjanis Karins, the Latvian prime minister and a staunch supporter of Ukraine, has announced his intention to step down this week. Like its Baltic neighbours Lithuania and Estonia, under Mr Karins' stewardship Latvia has been a leading voice in pushing the EU and NATO to increase pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

He steps back after huge pressure from a fractured parliament and failed attempts to incorporate left and right-wing representation into his government. His party, New Unity, will choose another candidate later this week, but the party's view on Ukraine is unlikely to change - so the next prime minister is likely to follow a similar mandate in terms of foreign policy towards Russia.

However, that candidate would also face a parliamentary vote of confidence, so needs wider support from the opposition groups to allow Latvia to continue its strong support for Ukraine.

Source: news.sky.com