URU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 142: Udtalelse af 24. februar 2025 fra det lettiske parlament (Saeima) om Ukraine

Udenrigsudvalget 2024-25
URU Alm.del Bilag 142
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STATEMENT OF THE SAEIMA OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

Reaffirming solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their heroic struggle for

their nation's survival, honouring those who have fallen in war, and pledging

unwavering support for Ukraine until victory is secured

The Saeima of the Republic of Latvia,

Recognising

that on 24 February 2025, three years will have passed since Russia's full-

scale military invasion of Ukraine, and recalling that Russia's aggression began as early

as February 2014, when it launched unlawful military activities on Ukrainian territory

to illegally alter the borders of a free and sovereign state, ultimately occupying parts of

eastern Ukraine and annexing the Crimean Peninsula;

Reaffirming

its unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked military aggression

and persistent violations of international law and human rights in Ukraine, including

systematic attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure;

Noting

that the aggression against Ukraine is not an isolated war but a global threat to

world peace and stability, with Russia carrying out its aggression with military,

economic, and other forms of support from third countries such as Belarus, Iran, and

North Korea, while also relying on its partnership with China;

Expresses

solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, who tirelessly demonstrate

extraordinary courage and resilience in the face of continuous threats and attacks,

honours

Ukraine’s defenders and citizens for their bravery and heroism, and

commemorates

all victims of Russian aggression, including Latvian volunteers who

gave their lives in the fight against the occupiers—Vitālijs Smirnovs, who fell on 1

October 2023, and Edgars Platonovs, who fell on 25 December 2024;

Affirms

that Latvia unwaveringly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and

territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and

emphasises

that

Russia’s temporarily occupied and unlawfully annexed Ukrainian territories—namely,

the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as parts of the Donetsk,

Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions—rightfully belong to the sovereign and

indivisible state of Ukraine;

Reiterates

that Latvia steadfastly supports Ukraine’s Peace Initiative and the initiation

of negotiations in accordance with Ukraine’s conditions and timeline, while

emphasising

that peace talks can only take place with Ukraine’s full participation;

Stresses

Latvia’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s integration into the European

Union and NATO, acknowledges Ukraine’s place among Europe’s democratic nations,

and commends Ukraine for the reforms it has undertaken and the progress it has

demonstrated while continuing its fight against Russia’s military aggression;

Calls

on allies to accelerate military and economic support for Ukraine, ensuring a

unified approach with key international partners, and to uphold the principle of ‘peace

through strength’ in securing a just and lasting peace;

URU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 142: Udtalelse af 24. februar 2025 fra det lettiske parlament (Saeima) om Ukraine

Reaffirms

that Latvia remains committed to allocating at least 0.25 per cent of its gross

domestic product to military support for Ukraine;

Reaffirms

that Latvia, as a member of the International Coalition for the Return of

Ukrainian Children, will continue to support efforts to ensure the return and

rehabilitation of Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported or forcibly

displaced by Russia;

Declares

that Latvia is firmly committed 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 against Ukraine;

Welcomes

the progress achieved in discussions on the establishment of a Special

Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and supports its creation within

the framework of the Council of Europe to hold Russia’s political and military

leadership accountable;

Supports

the imposition of even stricter and broader sanctions on Russia,

calls

on the

international community to reinforce existing sanctions and ensure their full and

effective enforcement;

Urges

a particular focus on halting Russia’s “shadow fleet,” weakening its military-

industrial complex, restricting its energy sector, and controlling financial flows to

diminish Russia’s ability to sustain its aggression and finance its war against Ukraine;

Calls

for the full alignment of sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus to prevent

Russia from circumventing restrictions through Belarus and to ensure the complete and

effective enforcement of all sanctions;

Urges

the Cabinet of Ministers, in collaboration with the governments of other

countries supporting Ukraine, to advance the development of a mechanism for the

confiscation and repurposing of all frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia to aid

Ukraine, including for military assistance and reconstruction efforts;

Welcomes

the establishment of the Council of Europe’s Register of Damage for

Ukraine and the ongoing work on a compensation mechanism to ensure that Ukraine

and its people receive reparations for the losses, harm, and suffering inflicted by

Russia’s aggression;

Expresses

gratitude to the people of Latvia for their tireless support for Ukraine through

donations, as well as for organising and delivering various forms of assistance to the

Ukrainian people and soldiers, and encourages them to continue these efforts;

Reaffirms

that Latvia stands resolutely with Ukraine and its people and will remain

steadfast in supporting Ukraine’s fight for independence and sovereignty until victory

is secured.