16 March 2025 marks eleven years since the so-called referendums on joining the Russian Federation were illegally held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Russia escalated the violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity begun in 2014 by launching an unprovoked full-scale military aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
Russia’s illegitimate acts are a gross violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter, and poses direct threat to international security and peace.
Latvia condemns in the strongest terms the holding of any sham referenda and elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Latvia also condemns war crimes perpetrated by Russia, human rights violations, forced displacement and deportations of Ukrainian civilians, including children, to the Russian territory, as well as the persecution of and discrimination against Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars.
Latvia does not recognise Russia’s attempts to illegally annex the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as other Ukrainian territories – the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
Latvia fully supports the unalienable right of Ukraine’s to self-defence against Russia’s war of aggression and to the liberation of its own territories.
Latvia offers unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity with in its internationally recognised borders and for its efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.
Latvia will continue providing comprehensive military and non-military support to Ukraine in the long term.