The Baltic States and the Czech Republic share a similar history of Soviet oppression and occupation and later that of re-gaining freedom from tyranny. This is why we understand how wrong Putin’s war is, and we stand shoulder to shoulder in our support for Ukraine. We who have lived under oppression know how difficult it is to fight for freedom. But we can win, said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Wednesday, 30 March in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, during her address in the conference in honour of the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Baltic States and the Czech Republic.

On Tuesday, 29 March, during a meeting in the framework of the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments in Slovenia, the chairs of the Parliaments of the Baltic States and Poland agreed that although for more than a month Ukraine has heroically defended itself against the Russian aggression, this brutal war must not become an accepted reality, and the military, political, and humanitarian support for Ukraine on the part of the democratic world must not subside. Meanwhile, Russia has to pay a high price for the war that it has begun.

Ukraine needs strong military, political, and humanitarian support in the current circumstances. It is in Europe’s interests that Ukraine remains an independent country that has chosen to live in a democracy. At the same time, Ukraine should be given a clear perspective of joining the European Union (EU), which would be a strong motivation to endure the cruel war while fighting for its freedom. This was underlined by Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, in the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments in Slovenia.

One month after Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and the country’s Parliament, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, together with the parliament speakers of Lithuania and Estonia, went to Kyiv to meet with the President, Chairman of the Parliament, and Prime Minister of Ukraine. During the visit, the parliament speakers of the three Baltic States and Ukraine signed a joint declaration, condemning Russia’s aggression and expressing support for Ukraine and a fast‑track procedure for its accession to the European Union.

The property rights of St. Peter’s Church in Riga are transferred to the foundation of the Riga St. Peter’s Church, the Saeima decided on Thursday, 24 March. The draft Law on St. Peter’s Church, adopted in the third and final reading, provides for the gratuitous transfer of the St. Peter’s Church to the foundation established by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia and the German St. Peter’s congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia.

On Thursday, 24 March, the Saeima adopted in the second and final reading urgent amendments to the Law on the Support for Ukrainian civilians. Among other provisions, the amendments stipulate allocation of a one-time crisis allowance to Ukrainian civilians fleeing the war in the amount of 272 euros for adults and 190 euros for each child.

On Thursday, 24 March, the Saeima supported in the second and final reading the urgent Draft Law that replaces the Law on Temporary Additional Requirements for the Work of Members of the Saeima and Councillors of Local Government Councils on 1 April.

“The people of Ukraine are sacrificing lives for their freedom and ours. They are fighting for the right to sovereignty and self‑determination, which, in our view, is the foundation of freedom. We stand up for Ukraine, because Ukraine is standing up for us,” emphasised Inese Voika, Deputy Secretary of the Saeima, on Monday, 21 March, in Vilnius, referring to the statement on the need to improve Ukraine’s air defence. The statement was adopted today in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, at a conference dedicated to promoting the support of European Union and NATO politicians for the opposition in Belarus.

"The institutions of the European Union should be able to find a way to quickly respond to Ukraine’s request to accept it as a member state. The European Union is not only an institution, but also its citizens. We, the parliamentarians from the EU member states, represent the will of our voters. Ukraine must be in the European Union! Our state and our people society stand up for it,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, opening the conference ”Baltic EU Conversations 2022: Immediate Challenges and Long-term Vision".

Rihards Kols, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, addressing the United States (US) Commission on Security and Co-operation in Europe (US Helsinki Commission) at a special hearing, urged the Western countries to be aware of the hybrid threats posed by Russia. During the joint visit of the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Baltic Parliaments, the Baltic MPs informed the US Helsinki Commission about the current security challenges in the Baltics.