Latvia will not let the light for Ukraine go out and will always be one step ahead in helping Ukrainians
During her visit to the Republic of Latvia, the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk met with the Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Edvards Smiltens.
The Speaker of the Latvian Parliament recalled his recent visit to Ukraine in January of this year, in particular to Chernihiv region, which was destroyed by the russian invasion. According to him, seeing first-hand the challenges and horrors of war that Ukraine and Ukrainians face every day motivates him, as well as many Latvians, to help Ukraine defend itself and fight russian aggression.
According to Mr. Speaker, Latvia has already provided Ukraine with more than 500 million euros in military support, and Latvians continue to actively collect and deliver humanitarian aid.
In particular, a charity event “Light for Ukraine” was recently held, during which residents of Riga collected light sources for Ukrainians: light bulbs, rechargeable lamps, power banks and portable charging stations.
“We have laid a strong foundation of friendship and trust with the Ukrainian people. Latvia will not allow the light for Ukraine to go out, which putin wants to extinguish. Latvia always tries to be one step ahead and to be a leader in helping Ukraine,” emphasized Edvards Smiltens.
For her part, the Vice-Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Olena Kondratiuk thanked Latvia for its impressive and comprehensive support of Ukraine, which is more than 1% of the country’s GDP. She also recalled the phenomenal speech of Edwards Smiltens in the Verkhovna Rada with words of solidarity and admiration for the heroism of Ukrainians.
“This speech was delivered entirely in Ukrainian from start to finish. It is a great honor for us to have such friends and partners,” emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.
She noted that the visit of the Speaker to Ukraine, visits to the de-occupied cities and regions, and the efforts to rebuild Chernihiv region made by Latvia are extremely important. Such meetings, she said, bring to every corner of Europe and the world the truth about what russian aggression and occupation are, what evil, destruction and suffering they bring to people.
“That is why we in Ukraine insist that russia has no place in world organizations and international platforms. The Verkhovna Rada categorically opposes the participation of the russian parliamentary delegation in the OSCE PA session to be held in February in Austria. We count on Latvia’s active support for Ukraine’s initiative to deprive russia of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and expel it from the UN. We insist that russian athletes have no place at international sports competitions, in particular, at the 2024 Olympics in Paris,” emphasized Olena Kondratiuk during the meeting.
The parties also discussed and coordinated the joint agenda of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Saeima of Latvia in establishing a special international tribunal to punish russia for the crime of aggression and introducing legal mechanisms for confiscating frozen russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Vice Speaker welcomed the signing of a joint declaration by the speakers of the parliaments of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in Warsaw on the unwavering support for Ukraine, further military, economic and humanitarian assistance, and the unification of parliamentary diplomacy efforts to strengthen sanctions against russia.
“This format has a powerful voice, and it will speak loudly and speak in favor of Ukraine,” said Edwards Smiltens.
At the end of the meeting, Olena Kondratiuk, together with the Speaker of the Saeima, emphasized the importance of holding the Vilnius Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government in July 2023 for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration. “I am convinced that without Ukraine’s acceptance and accession to NATO, we will not be able to have lasting peace in Europe,” the Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized.