Washington: US Vice President Joe Biden called Latvian President Andris Berzins on Wednesday in a sign of reassurance amid nervousness on Russia`s periphery following its incursion into Crimea.
Both men "expressed their grave concern over Russia`s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and discussed how best to bring about a peaceful resolution," the White House said in a statement.
"The Vice President reaffirmed the United States` longstanding and continuing commitment to peace and security in the Baltic region."
Latvia, a Soviet socialist republic for 50 years, regained independence after the end of the Cold War and is now a thriving member of the European Union and NATO.
The country, a parliamentary democracy, also has a sizeable minority Russian population. One of Moscow`s stated justifications for entering the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine was to ensure the safety of Russian nationals in the area.
Biden`s call was the latest effort by the Obama administration to reach out to eastern European nations, as it works through diplomatic channels to de-escalate the standoff in Ukraine.
