On Thursday, 24 February, the Saeima adopted a Statement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, strongly condemning the military aggression and wide-scale invasion by the Russian Federation into Ukraine. The Statement also strongly condemns the participation of Belarus in the military attack against Ukraine.
According to the Statement, the unjustifiable invasion of Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation constitutes a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, directly breaching the international commitments of Russia.
In the Statement, the MPs demand that the Russian Federation and Belarus cease further military aggression, withdraw forces from the territory of Ukraine and de-escalate the situation, engage in the search for a diplomatic solution, as well as end all further aggression and provocations against Ukraine and comply with their obligations under international agreements.
The MPs consider the participation of Russia and Belarus in international organisations defending peace, security, human rights, and a rule-based international order incompatible with their unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine. The Statement calls on the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to address the violations of international law and obligations by the Russian Federation and to condemn them in the strongest terms.
The Saeima urges the European Union to take immediate action by imposing the most severe sanctions on the Russian Federation, Belarus, and their officials responsible for this attack on the statehood of Ukraine, and calls on the Council of Europe to consider the expulsion of the Russian Federation from the organisation.
According to the Statement, Latvia reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, expresses its solidarity with Ukraine and its society, and confirms its support for Ukraine’s efforts to consolidate the country's democratic development and to achieve progress in its Euro Atlantic integration process.
The Statement underscores the need for the European Union and its Member States, as well as allies and partners to speak with one voice in support of Ukraine's right to freely determine its own future.
The Saeima calls on the international community to provide continued political support, economic and technical assistance, including in areas related to security and defence The Statement also stresses the importance of stepping up military support to Ukraine by providing it with defensive weapons in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for individual and collective self-defence.
In the Statement, the MPs emphasise the need for NATO to immediately reinforce security measures and the allied presence on NATO's eastern flank, including by activating consultations under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Saeima Press Service