Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds has stepped down after Prime Minister Evika Silina demanded that he resign, LSM reports. Silina announced that she had lost trust in the minister due to his mishandling of recent incursions of Ukrainian drones and the broader situation in the defence sector, LETA reported. Silina said that her adviser, Colonel Raivis Melnis, had agreed to replace Spruds, insisting that “security must be in the hands of professionals.” Spruds, who represents the Progressives, said that he resigned to protect Latvia’s armed forces and defence agencies from “divisive political campaigning.” He said that it was “very difficult to work alongside political forces that play such games,” suggesting that the Progressives may leave the current coalition with Silina’s New Unity and the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS).
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