This is the first official visit of the Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia to Ukraine.
The parties discussed a number of important issues, including further defense support for Ukraine, Ukraine's progress towards the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, strengthening sanctions against russia and preventing the circumvention of restrictions, as well as the confiscation of frozen russian assets and the implementation of the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
First of all, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine emphasized that Ukraine highly appreciates the comprehensive political support provided by the Saeima to our country. "I am grateful to both the official authorities of Latvia for their support and the support we receive from the public sector," said Ruslan Stefanchuk, adding that this combination of support for Ukraine is the most striking factor in how Latvia, as a country and as a people, supports the Ukrainian people.
Ruslan Stefanchuk also thanked Latvia for its military assistance and the initiative to create a UAV coalition, emphasizing that Ukraine counts on continued defense support for our defenders.
Separately, the parties discussed the development of the defense industry and the further admission of Ukrainian servicemen for treatment and rehabilitation.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to Latvia for advocating Ukraine's accession to the European Union and NATO. "Your decisions were decisive, both regarding the candidacy and the opening of negotiations with Ukraine at the end of last year," he said.
"The Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi is a formula for a comprehensive and just peace," Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized. He expressed hope that after the big summit at the level of state leaders, there will be an opportunity to hold a parliamentary summit in support of the Ukrainian peace plan.
The parties also discussed the issue of strengthening sanctions pressure against russia: "We need a single powerful sanctions package that will make it impossible for russia to circumvent it through various schemes. We all understand that putin and the russian people must pay for this war," emphasized Ruslan Stefanchuk, adding that this issue should be on the agenda of all parliaments.
In conclusion, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Latvia for its active participation in the restoration of Ukraine, in particular, patronage over the reconstruction of Chernihiv region.
For her part, the Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa emphasized that she had come with a large delegation to demonstrate continued support for Ukraine's difficult struggle against the aggressor. "We need to encourage our partners at the EU level to provide Ukraine with all the necessary support, because we understand that you need equipment and the latest technologies," Daiga Mieriņa said following the meeting.
She also noted that diplomatic support is also needed. "We have no right to get tired, we should help, and we have no right to get tired of the war, we need to unite in a single voice," the Saeima Speaker emphasized.