EU should increase financial and military support to Ukraine - ambassador

RIGA - The European Union (EU) should increase its financial and military support to Ukraine and keep up the pressure on Russia, Latvian Ambassador to the EU Lelde Lice-Licite stressed at this week's EU Foreign Affairs Council discussions in Brussels.

She pointed out that the fourth anniversary of Russia's crime of aggression against Ukraine is approaching. Russia is not ready to compromise and engage meaningfully in peace talks, and its recent barbaric attacks on Ukrainian residential buildings and energy infrastructure in sub-zero winter temperatures are a bright illustration of this, the ambassador said.

"The EU must continue to pursue its 'peace through strength' strategy, increase financial and military support to Ukraine, keep up the pressure on Russia, including through a strong 20th round of sanctions, and strengthen our own security," stressed Lice-Licite.

She said that work with international partners should continue to support Ukraine in protecting and rebuilding its energy infrastructure. Latvia has sent transformer oil, diesel generators and vehicles to Ukraine to support the urgent needs of Ukraine's energy sector and strengthen its energy resilience, the ambassador said.

Latvia supported the political decision taken at the council discussion on the Middle East to include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the EU list of terrorist organizations. Work will continue on the legal preparation of the proposal.

As regards future military support and security guarantees for Ukraine, Lice-Licite pointed out that timely and predictable military support should be provided to Ukraine to deter Russia's brutal aggression.

"It is very important that we have agreed on a joint EU loan of EUR 90 billion to Ukraine. Until peace is achieved and beyond, work on the implementation of security guarantees for Ukraine will be critical," stressed Lice-Licite.

In 2025, Latvia has provided Ukraine with EUR 123.88 million in military aid, which is 0.3 percent of Latvia's gross domestic product (GDP). Latvia's military assistance includes the supply of arms, training of Ukrainian soldiers, contributions to the Drone Coalition, financial contributions to the Ukrainian military industry for the production of drones, contributions to the NATO PURL initiative, and participation in the NATO Renovator project for the reconstruction of Ukrainian military hospitals. Latvia's contribution to defense will reach 5 percent of GDP this year.

Lice-Licite pointed out that Ukraine's accession to the EU is an essential part of the EU's security guarantees for Ukraine. In her view, it is essential to move forward on this issue, the ambassador stressed.

She said that sanctions against Russia are the most important non-military instrument of restraint, which have caused enormous damage to the Russian economy and undermined its ability to fight. As regards the work on the 20th round of sanctions, Lice-Lice stressed the need to extend restrictions against Russia's energy and financial sectors, as well as Russia's "shadow fleet". She believes that the EU should look into the possibility of imposing a complete ban on the provision of maritime services to vessels carrying Russian oil and gas.

The ambassador also said that the next round of sanctions should include additional trade restrictions, including strengthening existing restrictions on imports of potash fertilizers. The alignment of the Russian and Belarusian sanctions regimes should also continue to prevent sanctions evasion.

At the meeting, Lice-Licite expressed Latvia's support for Estonia's call to implement a complete ban on entry into the Schengen area and the denial of residence permits to Russian citizens who have participated in the war of aggression against Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also attended the meeting remotely and briefed on the current situation in Ukraine, in particular the emergency situation in the energy sector.

Discussing the situation in the Middle East and the EU's role in implementing the Gaza peace plan, EU ministers agreed that there were many uncertainties about the legal and political solution, and that US President Donald Trump's proposal should be examined in depth.

Latvia, as a member of the UN Security Council, is firmly committed to an order based on international law and to the principles of the UN Charter. "Latvia supports the continued engagement of the EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories EUPOL COPPS and the EU Border Assistance Mission at Rafah EUBAM Rafah in the Middle East peace process, recognizing their important contribution to stability, rule of law and security," commented Lice-Licite.