RIGA, May 20 (LETA) - Russia is currently attempting to intimidate and sow doubt not only among Latvia’s residents but also among its allies through false statements, President Edgars Rinkevics said following a meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) today.

The president noted that, as Ukraine carries out a series of actions against Russia, not only Latvia but also the other Baltic states are striving to find the right approach to informing the public. Previously developed theoretical algorithms are no longer adequate, Rinkevics acknowledged.

The president discussed with Silina what instructions the prime minister had given to the responsible institutions to align the warning system with specific tasks and to ensure that such situations disrupt the transportation system, business operations, and educational institutions as little as possible, while ensuring public safety.

"We are all in a situation where there is no single correct course of action; we are looking for the right models," acknowledged Rinkevics, emphasizing that all responsible authorities are working very actively to find them. These issues will also be discussed at today’s upcoming meeting of the National Security Council.

Rinkevics acknowledged that Russia is currently trying once again to intimidate Latvia with claims that Latvia has allowed its airspace to be used for Ukrainian airstrikes against Russia. That is not true, the president emphasized. According to him, Russia is doing this to sow distrust at the international level and cast doubt not only among Latvia’s residents but also among its allies, as well as to justify its failures in Ukraine.

Latvia has discussed this issue with its allies, and NATO is united, the president emphasized. He noted that residents should not give in to intimidation, acknowledging that such attempts will likely continue in the future. "We must respond to them with a cool head," said Rinkevics.

The president urged the public to trust the security services and the government, as well as to heed the advice provided by the National Armed Forces.

Rinkevics acknowledged that he fully understands the public’s anxiety and that at some point, people may feel the urge to turn off these now-regular text alerts. Therefore, those in charge must evaluate the algorithms determining when such alerts need to be sent. "It has not always worked well," the president said.

Silina, meanwhile, emphasized that it is in the public interest to find immediate solutions for daily life. "Everyone must keep their eyes and ears open and understand that Latvia has never allowed Ukraine to use either its territory or its airspace," said Silina.

Speaking about the push notifications, she noted that the Crisis Management Center and the National Armed Forces have committed to reviewing the algorithms of their distribution, as it is not the best solution if a resident, upon receiving such notifications too frequently, chooses to turn them off.

Silina plans to discuss with the National Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, as well as the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, on how the state can further assist local governments so that they can help their residents cope with such situations.

"We are currently developing a new system where we all work together - both by observing how residents react and by analyzing algorithms on the state’s side," said Silina. According to her, risk levels must be identified to determine how to respond, and all subsequent actions must be adjusted accordingly.

The prime minister promised that the public would soon have more clarity on all of this and that such alerts would not be a habit that desensitizes but a habit that educates.

Silina noted that the Ministry of Education and Science had previously developed guidelines and sent them to local governments on what to do in such situations, including during exams. Local governments were required to forward this information to schools.