Riga City Council will donate 100,000 euros to support Ukraine
The Riga City Council has decided to donate 100,000 euros to support Ukraine's energy sector amid the current crisis.
The Riga City Council has committed to donating 100,000 euros to Ukraine through the charity fund "Ziedot.lv" to assist in addressing urgent needs in Ukraine's energy sector following requests from various Ukrainian authorities. The donation is aimed at acquiring necessary equipment, such as generators and energy storage systems, to support Ukraine during a critical period marked by energy crises due to ongoing conflicts.
This decision follows appeals from the Kyiv regional state administration, the European Committee of the Regions, and the Ukrainian embassy in Latvia, highlighting the desperate need for assistance as Ukraine faces significant challenges in its energy infrastructure. While the majority of the council supported the donation, five council members voted against it, citing budgetary concerns, specifically that the Riga city budget is currently experiencing a deficit.
The dissenting voices included members from the "Stability" party and the "Sovereign Power" and "New Latvians" coalition, reflecting a political division on the issue of international aid, especially in light of local financial constraints. This decision represents Riga's commitment to solidarity with Ukraine during a time of crisis, emphasizing the importance of international support as the situation develops further in Ukraine.