Peace in Ukraine requires strong security guarantees - PM Silina

RIGA - A just and lasting peace in Ukraine requires strong security guarantees from Europe, the United States and other like-minded countries, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) told a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Thursday.

She added the countries of the Coalition of the Willing are unanimous on that.

The prime minister said that it is now clear that Russia does not want peace in Ukraine and will continue to be a threat. At the same time, she stressed that Latvia will continue to be a staunch supporter of Ukraine.

The meeting was initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as several European and other leaders. The meeting was held partly in person and partly by video link. Silina participated in the meeting by video link.

The Coalition of the Willing, led by France and the UK, brings together countries willing and ready to contribute to Ukraine's support. Its aim is to provide greater diplomatic, military, financial and political assistance to Ukraine in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in the war-ravaged country.

As reported, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that Russia did not have a veto on whether Western powers can deploy troops to Ukraine once a ceasefire has been negotiated.

"Why are we interested in what Russia thinks about troops in Ukraine? It's a sovereign country. It's not for them to decide," Rutte said. "Russia has nothing to do with this."

Russia has stated that it remains strongly opposed to any deployment of Western troops in Ukraine as part of a possible settlement.

Western diplomats say that a group of about 30 countries discussing the possible creation of a "guarantee force" in Ukraine now has a concrete number of troops they could deploy for this mission.