West could cut Russia from SWIFT, sanction Nord Stream, Latvia says

FILE PHOTO: Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics speaks during news conference in Riga, Latvia March 2, 2020. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

LONDON (Reuters) -The West must send a strong message to Russia to deter the Kremlin from invading Ukraine, including cutting Russia off from the SWIFT payment system, sanctioning the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and strengthening NATO's eastern flank, Latvia said on Tuesday.

U.S. media have reported that U.S. intelligence assesses Russia could be planning a multi-front offensive on Ukraine as early as next year involving up to 175,000 troops. Russia denies it plans to invade and says the West is gripped by Russophobia.