Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasized the importance of self-defense and regional alliances in light of Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia during a special Saeima session marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In a special session of Latvia's Saeima, President Edgars Rinkēvičs declared Ukraine as Latvia's first line of defense against Russian aggression, while highlighting that Latvia itself, alongside its Baltic allies, the European Union, and NATO, constitutes the second and main line of defense. This statement coincided with the approaching fourth anniversary of Russia's large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, signaling the importance of solidarity and preparedness among Eastern European nations regarding the ongoing conflict.
Rinkēvičs reminded the assembly that the war against Ukraine did not only begin with the 2022 invasion; it has roots back to 2014, when Russia began its occupation of Crimea. He pointed out that February 26 marks the day of Resistance, commemorating the beginning of the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. By contextualizing the onset of hostilities, Rinkēvičs emphasized the ongoing threat posed by Russia, not just to Ukraine, but to regional security as a whole.
In conclusion, the Latvian president underscored that while diplomatic negotiations for peace are underway, the aggressive actions of the Russian state necessitate a vigilant and united front from all neighboring countries. He firmly reiterated that territories currently under Russian control do not belong to it, although they remain under occupation, reiterating Latvia's unwavering stance on the matter as part of its territorial integrity and commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty.
