On 11 January, President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs met at the Riga Castle with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in Latvia for the first time since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. E. Rinkēvičs assured that Latvia and its people will continue to support Ukraine, its defenders and civilians until Ukraine's victory. Ukraine can count on Latvia's military support, assistance in Ukraine's reconstruction, humanitarian aid as well as support in promoting Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. The President of Latvia also announced this year’s first military assistance package for Ukraine this year.
"Latvia will continue to support Ukraine, its defenders and civilians both in the fight against the aggressor state Russia and in advancing Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. By helping Ukraine, we are protecting Europe and Latvia," emphasised President Edgars Rinkēvičs, noting that the first military aid package of this year, Latvian State and public support to Ukraine exceeds EUR 600 million, nearly reaching 1% of GDP.
The President of Latvia stressed that Ukraine must be supported until its complete victory. "We need to alter our strategic focus. Ukraine must be supported until its complete victory, rather than, as some would say, for as long as it takes," said E. Rinkēvičs. The Latvian President also noted Ukraine’s specific needs have been accounted for, upon allocating this year's first military assistance package. E. Rinkēvičs noted that the new military assistance package includes self-propelled artillery or howitzers, artillery ammunition, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition, all-terrain vehicles, communications equipment, generators, winter gear, drones, and other types of armaments. The President of Latvia also informed that Latvia is committed to training at least 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers this year, as well as to continue the rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers and border guards.
In his meeting with the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy, President Rinkēvičs confirmed the commitment of the Government of Latvia to allocate 15 million euro for the reconstruction of Ukraine and to continue the rebuilding of Chernihiv city and region over a period of three years.
E. Rinkēvičs noted that during the official visit of the President of Ukraine, an intergovernmental agreement between Latvia and Ukraine will be signed, which will facilitate the provision of assistance to Ukraine for priorities including reconstruction, development cooperation projects and the advancement of Ukraine's Euro-integration. The visit will also feature the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting cooperation in the military sector with respect to the implementation of joint projects in the defence and security industry.
During the meeting, the President of Latvia reiterated his appreciation of Ukraine's progress commencing European Union (EU) accession negotiations, while noting the importance of further reforms for Ukraine's integration into the EU, where Latvia stands ready to provide practical support. E. Rinkēvičs also reasserted the importance of the forthcoming European Council decision on the provision of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine.
Regarding the urgent tasks ahead, President Rinkēvičs highlighted the need to continue coordination on EU sanctions policy to ensure the most effective and comprehensive sanctions possible, including the prevention of exports of Ukrainian grain from Russian-occupied territories, as well as imports of dual-use goods into Russia.
