Honourable Prime Minister,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Honourable Ministers, Excellencies,
Honourable Members of the Supreme Council - restorers of independence,
Dear compatriots,
I
Thirty-two years ago, 4 May marked a pivotal moment in our history.
Latvia left the totalitarian communist formation called the Soviet Union.
Latvia left a highly aggressive and restrictive political system, a domain of doom, which, sooner or later, was destined for collapse. Destruction was hard-wired in the ideology of this formation, the economic model, and the drive of one nation to subjugate other nations. In an attempt to deprive people of their identity.
In the meeting of 4 May, 32 years ago, Alberts Bels, Member of the Supreme Council and writer, gave a description of the situation in which Latvians were at that time, which is most clear from today’s perspective.
Bels said that the USSR government’s attitude towards the needs of the Latvian nation, the needs of the Latvian people, is nothing short of covert genocide. Without changing the course of events, we are destined for destruction. The genocidal policy is masked with words about the booming internationalism in the territory of Latvia, and Latvians themselves are referred to as troublemakers. In turn, our concern for the preservation of our nation is called a manifestation of nationalism and extremism.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Today, it is clearer than ever that by escaping the Soviet Union, Latvians also escaped from annihilation. The collapse of the empire was the right time and place for such a daring escape.
The pivotal moment in our history marked the return of our people to freedom, independence and democracy. It was the return of the people to their statehood and to a life that has a future!
II
On this day, we have many reasons for celebration.
4 May 1990 is the second birthday of the State of Latvia.
We are grateful to celebrate our 32nd anniversary of the restoration of independence as a member of the European Union, NATO and the OECD. This entails high political, economic and, above all, security standards.
Latvia vigilantly protects its fundamental values of parliamentary democracy and the sovereignty of the people. We maintain our values enshrined in the Constitution—the principles of the national state, the Latvian language, the cultural space of Latvia and Europe, the rule of law and social care.
We are moving forward!
But this year, 4 May is different.
A new pivotal moment has come. The world is undergoing historical transformations.
This dividing line was drawn by Putin’s Russia with its unjustified, unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine based on lies and imperial ambitions.
Since 24 February, relations between the civilised world and Russia have changed drastically. The political collaborationism, in which states often engaged with Putin’s regime in the name of economic advantage, is receding. Likewise, the turning of a blind eye and desperately keeping alive the ‘business-as-usual’ cannot be considered viable strategies anymore.
With this invasion, Russia, the perceived and actual successor of the Soviet Union, has crossed all the red lines.
Everyone is shocked by the hatred, cruelty and brutality that Russia demonstrates in Ukraine, and people are turning away.
Killings of Ukrainian civilians, including women and children; torture, sexual violence, and desecration of the dead in Bucha, Irpen, Mariupol, and elsewhere—all this causes immeasurable pain. The pain that cannot be escaped.
More than 10 million Ukrainians have become refugees. The number of people from Ukraine deported to Russia is unthinkable.
The U.S. President Joe Biden was among the first to call what is happening in Ukraine genocide. “Let the lawyers determine whether the term technically qualifies in this case, but I call it a genocide against the Ukrainian people,” said the U.S. President.
On 21 April, our Parliament unanimously adopted a statement on Russian aggression and war crimes in Ukraine, stressing that Russia is committing genocide against the Ukrainian people.
The aim of the Russian invasion is to eliminate the statehood of Ukraine, to eliminate the Ukrainian language and to erase the Ukrainian people from existence. And this is happening in the 21st century!
With this war, Russia has made one of the fatal mistakes in its history. It has embarked on the road to the collapse of its geopolitical influence. On the path to nothingness.
For the Ukrainian people, this historical dividing line marks a new future. The future of Ukraine is clearly within Europe and the Western civilisation.
III
Ladies and gentlemen,
In 2005, speaking at the Russian Federal Assembly, Putin called the collapse of the Soviet Union “the biggest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century”, but the civilised world now concludes that the geopolitical disaster of the 21st century is Putin’s own coming to power.
These days, we from the Baltic States keep repeating: now you see, we have always been right in our warnings about Putin’s Russia. This power must not be trusted, it does not have any good intentions.
Today, analysts conclude that Putin has been preparing for war in Ukraine since becoming the leader of Russia. And Ukraine is only the first step in the Kremlin’s plan.
Putin seemingly wants to return to the borders of the Russian Empire, and the list of potential victims includes not only Moldova, but also several NATO members, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The democratic world has understood all this, and therefore Russia is experiencing unprecedented economic sanctions. The sanctions have not been exhausted yet, but it is clear that a comprehensive veto also needs to be imposed on Russian oil, natural gas and coal, since it is the energy exports that provide the most income for Russia.
Russia’s economy will fall back by several decades.
Russia must come out of this war so weakened that it can no longer be able to repeat such aggression—that is the main purpose of the sanctions. That is also the military goal that Ukraine pursues with the support of allies.
IV
Dear people of Latvia,
Ukraine is winning not only with weapons. Ukraine proves that in the modern world there is a place for courage, heroism and patriotism. Moreover, without these virtues, democracy would not be able to resist tyranny.
Russia’s brutal aggression has greatly consolidated Ukrainian society. This includes Ukrainians, Russians and other nationalities. It is evident that they are fighting all together. Fighting for each other. Fighting for their homeland, for dignity, for democracy, for the right to exist. These are historically proven to be invincible values.
Ukrainians are also united by the fact that their opponents have no values. There is no humanity, no morality, no soldier’s honour. There are no binding legal provisions. There is only brute force, corruption and manipulation. History has shown that these are the ingredients of inevitable defeat.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed not only the politics, but also people. There has been a change in the perception of many things, including those unrelated to war. We have become more demanding towards each other, the media, institutions and companies. People demand to speak clear language, to defend Latvia’s interests, express their support for Ukraine more decisively, and not be afraid to break ties with the Soviet past.
Now, we clearly see who is who, and whose side they are on. Pretending is impossible.
We ask each other once again: what is holding us together, are we all on the same side? Do Latvian Russians really support Putin? Can we finally demolish the Occupation Monument in Pārdaugava? What are our highest values?
Eight years ago, when we discussed the preamble to the Constitution, we also talked a lot about values. National, cultural, social and political values.
Today, there is no stronger basis than the Constitution for Latvian society to form a common understanding. Constitutional values include national state, democracy, Latvian language and culture, condemnation of totalitarian regimes, universal human and Christian values. We are proud of our Constitution! This year we also celebrate the 100th anniversary of its adoption and its entry into force.
Nothing divides a society like half-measures, hypocrisies, shame, and lack of clarity. Luckily, the Constitution, which is accessible to every resident of our country, formulates these fundamental values unequivocally. Everyone who really wants to belong to our State is welcome. However, those who are unable to accept the Constitution and its values will never be rooted in our land.
On April 23, an anti-war protest by the Russian-speaking community “Russian Voice Against War” was held at the Freedom Monument, where people strongly condemned the Kremlin regime and the Russian military aggression in Ukraine.
It was a good sign! Local Russian people assured that they do not support Putin’s army, which, in the words of pianist Andrei Osokin, brings only death.
There should be more such rallies against the position of Tatjana Ždanoka and the likes.
We see a wave of patriotism growing. In the last months, more than 2400 people have expressed their wish to join the National Guard. The Youth Guard is also growing stronger.
Likewise, civic identity is growing stronger; people have become more helpful, more affectionate, compassionate.
There is no such thing as too much of patriotism. If we believe in our Latvia, if we love our land, if we hold our values high, we are unbreakable.
V
Ladies and gentlemen, television viewers and radio listeners!
We must all acknowledge that Ukraine has been in a conventional war with Russia since 24 February, but all the Baltic States and most Western countries are in hybrid war with Russia. Sanctions, reducing diplomatic and business relations to a minimum, excluding Russia from international organisations, restricting propaganda media—these are components of hybrid warfare.
It is changing many things. It undoubtedly leads to taking a stance.
We were among the first to provide military assistance to Ukraine. Even before 24 February. The Ministry of Defence has delivered weapons and equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, dry food, fuel, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft missiles Stinger.
I would say that we are not in the middle of the year yet, but the amount of Latvia’s military assistance to Ukraine in monetary terms has reached a third of our annual military budget. And we will provide more help.
Because we know that the military defence of Latvia now begins in Donbas.
By strengthening Ukraine, we strengthen ourselves, and every person in our country senses it.
Thank you to all the people in Latvia who are actively working on various ideas to help Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who participates in donating more than 4.5 million euros for Ukraine's defense needs, including military hospitals, on the online donations site ziedot.lv. Thank you for supporting Ukrainian refugees in Latvian municipalities, thank you to the Twitter convoy for your selflessness and passion in taking more than 200 SUVs to Ukraine. Thank you to our team of microsurgeons.
Thank you to non-governmental organisations, thank you to the Christian congregations of all denominations.
Thank you for sharing the warmth of your heart! Your deeds fortify confidence that we will be able to rely on each other whenever need be. If you need help, the vast majority of our people will respond just like the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “Я тут - I'm here!”
VI
Ladies and gentlemen,
When facing historic crossroads, circumstances can be a decisive factor, but individuals with strong personalities can often be of even greater importance.
Why is Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, the most inspiring leader of the world today? When I had the opportunity to meet him in the besieged Kyiv together with the parliament speakers of Estonia and Lithuania, it felt special. It is difficult to put into words the weight of responsibility lying on his shoulders. It is clear, however, that Zelenskyy is well aware of what is expected of him and what he must achieve. He is a leader.
Similarly, individuals with strong personalities had a decisive role on 4 May 32 years ago.
I thank the Members of the Supreme Council who voted for independence. You, too, were aware of the task you had to accomplish, and of the hope in the eyes watching you from all across Latvia. Dainis Īvāns, the leader of the Popular Front of Latvia, was bearing enormous responsibility. You all succeeded in protecting the fundamental values of our people.
You helped our people return to freedom, independence and democracy. To our statehood. To Latvia that has a future. Thank you for that.
VII
Dear people of Latvia,
We can notice similarities in historic events. We remember the time of our National Awakening, 4 May, and the Barricades of January 1991. Everyone’s ears were glued to the radio, we were constantly listening to the news. What is happening, how is our side doing? It was an existential question. There was nothing more important than the restoration of independence.
Now, it is spring 2022, and, once again, we are listening to the news. How are Ukrainians faring in the fight against Russian occupants? Are they prevailing?
How well the Ukrainians are doing shapes our security as well. Ukrainian victory is important, because it will strengthen our independence as well.
On 4 May all those years ago, there was also a clear line between the Popular Front of Latvia and the Interfront.
Today, we can see that there are still people in Latvia supporting imperialism, the idea of Russia’s supremacy, the occupation of another state, Russification, and breaches of international law.
I have no clue how to call such an establishment today, but the same people are still glorifying Stalinism, justifying the Holodomor, and they are willing to preach the supremacy of a single nation while subjecting another one to genocide.
The similarities lie in the fact that back then, it was important to restore independence, whereas today, it must be preserved and strengthened.
For this very reason, our Ministry of Defence is working on establishing another international military base in Latvia.
The presence of allied forces in the Baltic States should be increased significantly, and, to that end, three combat‑ready divisions would be needed.
This issue, a new strategic concept, as well as other topical matters will soon be discussed at the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Madrid.
This month, both Finland and Sweden are set to submit applications to become members of NATO.
Remarkably, Russia’s aggression has contributed to the expansion of the Alliance. Most of its members have already decided on increasing their security budget.
To quote the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “Freedom must be armed better than tyranny.”
In the coming years, the Baltic States, like many other countries in Europe, will develop a stronger comprehensive security system. NATO’s military capabilities keep growing, giving us assurance about a secure future.
VIII
Dear colleagues,
The final year of the 13th Saeima coincides with a significant time. This year, we commemorate events that were critical to our country 100 years ago and remain important to this day. In addition to the centenary of our Constitution, we will also celebrate 100 years since the first convocation of the Saeima started its work on 7 November 1922.
Today, I can already inform you about a moving event that will take place in late May: a new lilac variety, selected specifically in honour of the centenary of the Saeima, will be given a name. The new lilac variety will be called “Brīve” (Freedom). It was selected at the Institute of Horticulture in Dobele, and it is a symbol of commitment to the fundamental values of our state: freedom, independence and democracy.
Today, it is the last time that the 13th Saeima is convening at the ceremonial sitting in honour of the restoration of independence.
Honourable Members of Parliament, thank you for your work. Despite some challenges, we can be satisfied with many and much needed laws adopted by the Saeima.
This autumn, the 14th Saeima will be elected. Nobody knows what it will be like. But we can have a hopeful prediction that populism will have diminished.
I urge the voters to acknowledge the importance of who we elect to be the representatives of the people. The one hundred Members of the next Saeima will be the legislators of Latvia up until 2026.
Let us vote for the people who fulfil their promises, for those who have faith in values.
Once again, I will quote the writer Alberts Bels.
Thirty-two years ago, at the 4 May sitting, he said:
“I know that a human lifetime is short, but I am always living with the hope that my people will survive forever. The temporality of my own life does not scare me, but the loss of my people’s existence seems unbearable. (..) Therefore, we demand independence for all countries where human life needs protection, so that it would be held sacred and inviolable.”
Long live Latvia!
Long live Ukraine!
God bless Latvia!