19 November sees 1,000 days since Russia launched its illegal, unjustified and unprovoked full-scale invasion against Ukraine, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, took part in a support event for Ukraine to honour the fallen who gave their lives for Ukraine and to also thank all those who continue to support Ukraine in Latvia.
The Foreign Minister paid tribute to Ukrainian defenders with the following words:
“We bow our heads today to those heroes, and commemorate anyone who has made a sacrifice in the fight against darkness, in the fight against evil. There are also Latvians among those fighting for Ukraine. We are commemorating the Latvian volunteer Vitālijs Smirnovs, who fell in the east of Ukraine on 1 October 2023.”
“This is a violent, bloody attack on the Ukrainian state and nation, with devastating consequences for the global security and the order based on international law. The Latvian government and the Latvian people have been standing, and will continue to stand side by side with our Ukrainian friends until the last occupant has been evicted from Ukrainian territory,” underlined Baiba Braže. The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Latvia’s strong and unwavering support to Ukraine. Latvia and its people stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor, Russia. Latvia will continue all forms of military, economic and financial support to strengthen Ukraine’s resistance and rebuild the country.
“Russia’s aggression towards its democratic neighbours is nothing new. Ukrainians have been defending their country heroically against the invaders since 2014 – this has been a decade of courage, determination and heroism – in the most direct sense of the word,” Baiba Braže said in her address to those present. The war has caused inestimable devastation in Ukraine, both taking the lives of innocent people and inflicting damage to the country’s economy and infrastructure. However, Russia’s aggression has failed to destroy the bravery and resolve of the Ukrainian people to fight for the freedom and independence of their country.
Facts
Latvia intends to provide Ukraine with military support at the amount 0.25% of GDP by 2026, as well as channelling EUR 5 million in support of Ukraine’s reconstruction each year until 2026.
Latvia will continue to provide medical rehabilitation to Ukrainian soldiers, work actively towards the return of the illegally deported Ukrainian children, as well as hosting more than 47,000 Ukrainian civilians.