The Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk together with Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Edvards Smiltens visited the de-occupied Chernihiv region.
“Latvia has taken care of the restoration and reconstruction of this unbreakable land. Yahidne, Ivanivka. We have seen with our own eyes the devastating consequences of the rtussian occupation. They will be remembered by local residents for a long time. But today we also saw and felt absolute faith, hope, a lot of kind eyes of people and hope that everything will be fine and rebuilt. It will!” Olena Kondratiuk said.
At the same time, Edvards Smiltens emphasized that the new coalition agreement signed in the Latvian Parliament includes a separate item on assistance to Chernihiv region. “I really hope that we will help to restore smiles on the faces of Chernihiv region residents,” he said.
On behalf of the Parliament of Ukraine and all Ukrainian people, the Vice-Speaker Olena Kondratiuk thanked Mr. Speaker for the comprehensive assistance provided by Latvia.
“More than 300 million euros of military support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We also received a lot of humanitarian aid – generators, transformers, buses. This is the assistance that has a real, applied value and really helps people in Ukraine,” she noted.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also stressed that she counts on further cooperation with the Latvian Parliament in two directions.
“The first is the establishment of a special international tribunal to punish all those responsible for the crime of russian aggression: political and military leadership, government officials, deputies – all of them.
The second is the introduction of legal mechanisms that should be used to confiscate the frozen russian assets and pay compensation for the losses caused to Ukraine at their expense. These confiscated russian funds should reach every Ukrainian, every family that has suffered as a result of russian aggression and terrorist attacks,” noted Olena Kondratiuk.
According to her, Estonia has already started this process and the Ukrainian side believes that Latvia will also join this movement.
“Such legal mechanisms of confiscation of russian assets in favour of the Ukrainian people should be adopted in all EU countries and in the international arena. This will be a great impetus for our people and, in particular, the communities and residents of Chernihiv region to start receiving these funds today, without waiting for years for reparations,” stressed Olena Kondratiuk.
She also thanked Edwards Smiltens personally for the solidarity visit, sincere and open communication with the residents of Chernihiv region.
“I wish Mr. Speaker, who has recently taken this position, success. We know and are confident that together we will win!” the Vice-Speaker expressed hope.