Marking three years since Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, the Saeima on Thursday, 20 February, adopted a statement reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their heroic fight for statehood, honouring those who have fallen in war, and pledging continued support for Ukraine until its victory.
The Saeima reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked military aggression and its persistent violations of international law and human rights in Ukraine, including systematic attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.
MPs stress that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is not an isolated conflict but a global threat to peace and stability. They highlight Russia’s reliance on military, economic, and other forms of support from third countries such as Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, as well as its strategic partnership with China.
In its statement, the parliament pays tribute to Ukraine’s defenders and citizens for their courage and heroism, commemorates all victims of Russian aggression—including Latvian volunteers who sacrificed their lives in the fight against the occupiers—and expresses deep gratitude to the Latvian people for their unwavering support for Ukraine through donations, as well as for organising and delivering humanitarian and military assistance.
“In a few days, it will be three years since Russia launched its brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine—three long and bloody years during which Ukraine has fought for its right to exist and determine its own future. We will stand with Ukraine until victory—Ukraine’s victory, achieved on its own terms and determined by its people,” stated Ināra Mūrniece, Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Saeima’s statement reaffirms Latvia’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, underscoring that Russia’s temporarily occupied and unlawfully annexed Ukrainian territories—including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol, and parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions—rightfully belong to Ukraine as a sovereign and indivisible state. MPs also recall that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began in February 2014.
Latvia remains a steadfast supporter of Ukraine’s Peace Initiative and emphasises that peace negotiations can only take place on Ukraine’s terms and with its full participation. The Saeima urges allies to accelerate military and economic aid to Ukraine and to uphold the principle of “peace through strength” to secure a just and lasting peace.
The Saeima expresses strong support for imposing even tougher and broader sanctions on Russia and calls on the international community to strengthen existing measures, ensure their full and effective enforcement, and align sanctions against Russia and Belarus to prevent circumvention. MPs further stress the importance of halting Russia’s “shadow fleet,” weakening its military-industrial complex, restricting its energy sector, and tightening control over financial flows to curb Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort.
The parliament also calls on the governments of Ukraine-supporting countries to continue developing a mechanism to confiscate and repurpose all frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia to support Ukraine, including for military assistance and reconstruction efforts.
Latvia reaffirms its firm commitment to supporting Ukraine and international efforts to ensure full accountability for war crimes and other grave international crimes committed during Russia’s war of aggression. The statement also welcomes progress in discussions on establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the creation of Ukraine’s Register of Damage, and ongoing work on a compensation mechanism.
The Saeima further reiterates Latvia’s commitment to ensuring the return and rehabilitation of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported or forcibly displaced by Russia.
Latvia’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and NATO is also reaffirmed, alongside recognition of Ukraine’s place within Europe’s community of democratic nations. The statement commends Ukraine’s reform efforts and progress and reaffirms Latvia’s commitment to allocating at least 0.25 per cent of its gross domestic product to military support for Ukraine.
Saeima Press Service