Latvian-Ukrainian brotherhood has grown stronger during Russian aggression and will certainly remain so in peacetime - Pildegovics

RIGA - The Latvian-Ukrainian brotherhood has grown stronger during the Russian aggression and will certainly remain so in peacetime, Andrejs Pildegovics, who last week took office as Latvian Ambassador to Ukraine, told LETA.

He noted that, especially in the past years, in the context of Russian aggression, the mutual trust and partnership between the two countries had grown even closer. Pildegovics underlined that negotiations on a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and its the path of European Union (EU) integration are matters where the Baltic and Nordic countries are among Ukraine's closest partners.

The ambassador is glad that cooperation is taking place not only between Latvian and Ukrainian governments and politicians, but also between local authorities, non-governmental organizations and universities. Pildegovics underlined that Latvia's experience in European integration is highly valued and expressed hope that Ukraine's formal negotiations on accession to the European Union (EU) could start already this year.

"What has taken place so far is what we technically call screening of Ukrainian legislation and policies, but we hope that in the coming months we will start formal accession negotiations on at least the first cluster concerning fundamental rights", said the ambassador, adding that "we will move from political declarations to meaningful and practical work".

Pildegovics said he had heard from Ukrainian officials that Latvia's support was highly appreciated. According to the ambassador, Ukraine looks to Latvia as a reliable, proven friend, partner and ally.

The ambassador also stressed Ukraine's energy independence, recalling that Ukraine's critical infrastructure, including electricity supply facilities, continues to suffer from Russian attacks. The ambassador noted that the EU, including Latvia, is providing assistance in the Chernihiv region. This is a region of Ukraine where Latvian entrepreneurs are doing business and the Latvian government provides assistance, including to critical infrastructure.

"The energy bloc will also be one of the most important parts of the negotiations with the EU to ensure that Ukraine's energy sector is stable, resilient and as integrated into the EU market as possible," Pildegovics said.

He stressed that there are many aspects to this issue, including nuclear safety. The ambassador explained that Ukraine is home to some of the largest nuclear power plants in Europe. One of them, the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (NPP), has been under Russian occupation for several years.

"Latvia, which will take up its seat on the UN Security Council on January 1, as well as the EU, are paying great attention to this issue, so that Russian aggression does not endanger the security of the whole of Europe," Pildegovics said.

The ambassador noted that the war has been going on for three and a half years. It is not known when the war will end, so issues related to preparations for the winter, the heating season and energy resilience are among the priorities, Pildegovics said.

The ambassador hopes that during his tenure a just and lasting peace will be achieved, Ukraine will continue on its path towards the EU, and the reconstruction of the country and the economy will begin. He also expects that Latvia's stance on Ukraine's place in Europe will materialize in concrete steps towards European integration, which will be a long process. Pildegovics noted that the EU is not a charity organization and Ukraine will have to fulfil the necessary criteria.

He also hoped that in time Ukraine's society would heal "the deep wounds inflicted during the Russian aggression". The ambassador pointed out that many thousands of Ukrainians, including women, elderly people and children, have been deported and would hopefully be able to return to their homeland.

"I hope that Russia's impunity will end. Latvia is among those countries that strongly support a tribunal to try Russia for the "crime of aggression" against Ukraine. I expect decisive decisions to be taken also in the area of justice," the ambassador said.

As regards the exchange of experience, Pildegovics said that this is a two-way process. In his view, Latvia can not only pass on its experience to Ukraine, but also learn a lot from the Ukrainians - how they deal with emergencies and how they develop their economy. Latvia can also learn a lot from Ukrainian businesses, scientists and ministries.