“We stand by the people of Ukraine and we will continue to stand by them. Latvia will do everything in its power for a quicker victory for Ukraine!” Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa said on Thursday, 22 February, at the extraordinary sitting of the Saeima dedicated to commemorating two years since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Speaker of the Saeima noted that today is day No. 728 since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “Every single day of the war the felonious regime of Russia is taking innocent Ukrainian lives and every single day Russia’s aggression is continuing to undermine the basic principles of European security and the rule of law, which we, the allies, undertake to defend every single day,” Speaker Mieriņa stated.

The Speaker of the Saeima emphasised that we, the allies, have done a lot, but not yet everything possible: “With our military support we have helped the defenders of Ukraine liberate a significant part of the occupied territories, thus doing away with the myth of Russia’s invincibility; countless taboos have been broken in regard to military deliveries. Prejudices have been overcome and lines in the sand dissolved, reinforcing ever more Ukraine’s place within the European and Trans-Atlantic security area. Over the course of these two years we have brought our allies closer to our understanding of Trans-Atlantic security,” Speaker Mieriņa said, stressing that the post-war security architecture is to be shaped not with, but against Russia. “Ukraine is not yet a NATO member state, however, today our collective defence starts in Ukraine,” stated the Speaker of the Saeima.

“Russia will inevitably experience strategic defeat in Ukraine. It is in our power to not let Russia gain even the slightest tactical victory ahead of its utter defeat,” said the Speaker of the Saeima, emphasising the role of Latvia and its closest allies.

Speaker Mieriņa urged that the work already under way ought to be continued, saying that we need to continue to raise our ambitions and tirelessly work to encourage other allies to follow suit. The Speaker of the Saeima also highlighted Latvia’s initiative to establish a drone coalition, which aims to provide a million drones to the defenders of Ukraine. “This is a critical capability needed for Ukraine’s victory. This is an initiative for increasing the capacity of the military industry of Europe. And it is Latvia’s commitment, which must raise trust in Europe’s ability to fulfil its commitments. We will continue to do everything possible to facilitate Ukraine’s victory,” Speaker Mieriņa said.

The extraordinary sitting of the Saeima was also addressed by President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, gave an address remotely.

Speaker Stefanchuk thanked the people of Latvia for their unwavering support and aid from the very beginning of the war. The Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine noted that the Saeima was one of the first parliaments to condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion, and adopt other decisions crucial for Ukraine. The support of Latvia and other allies brings Ukraine closer to victory every single day. “This victory will be shared – it will be a victory of freedom, independence and democracy,” Speaker Stefanchuk said.

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Saeima Press Service