Latvia's president Edgars Rinkevics has warned that Europe is failing to keep pace with fast-moving drone and aerial warfare developments in Ukraine, and that most Nato countries could not repel a Russian missile attack if the conflict expands.
Key facts
- Latvia's president Edgars Rinkevics warned Europe is not keeping up with drone and aerial warfare developments in Ukraine.
- He said drone warfare in Ukraine is moving at 'lightning speed'.
- Current European preparations for aerial war could be obsolete by the middle of next year, according to Rinkevics.
- He warned most Nato countries could not repulse a Russian missile attack if the conflict expands.
- The remarks were made in a Guardian interview in Washington DC.
Latvia’s president has warned that Europe is not keeping up with the rapid evolution of drone and aerial warfare unfolding in Ukraine, raising concerns about the continent’s readiness should the conflict expand. Edgars Rinkevics made the comments in an interview with the Guardian, published on 18 September 2026.
According to the Guardian, Rinkevics said that technological developments in drone warfare in Ukraine are moving at “lightning speed”. He cautioned that current European efforts to prepare for an aerial war could be obsolete by the middle of next year, given the pace of change.
The Latvian president also warned that most countries in Nato could not repulse an attack by Russian missiles if the conflict were to widen. The remarks underline growing concern among leaders in the Baltic region, which borders Russia, about the alliance’s defensive capabilities.
The interview took place in Washington DC, according to the Guardian. Latvia, a Nato and European Union member state, has been among the countries most vocal about the threat posed by Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Rinkevics’s comments point to a gap between the speed of battlefield innovation in Ukraine and the ability of European militaries to adapt their planning and defences accordingly.
Why it matters
The warning from a Nato member state's leader highlights concerns that Europe's air and missile defences may not be ready for the kind of drone warfare now shaping the war in Ukraine. If accurate, the gap could have significant implications for the security of countries bordering Russia and for the alliance as a whole.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Edgars Rinkevics?
Edgars Rinkevics is the president of Latvia. He made the warnings about drone warfare during an interview with the Guardian in Washington DC.
What did the Latvian president warn about?
He warned that Europe is not keeping up with developments in drone and aerial warfare in Ukraine, that current preparations could be obsolete by the middle of next year, and that most Nato countries could not repulse a Russian missile attack if the conflict expands.
How fast is drone warfare changing, according to the president?
Rinkevics said the technological developments in drone warfare in Ukraine are moving at 'lightning speed'.