PM on working visit to Ukraine

RIGA - At the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) is paying a working visit to Ukraine today.

The State Chancellery told LETA that Silina is scheduled to meet with senior Ukrainian officials and participate in the ceremony of the anniversary of Ukraine's Statehood.

The Prime Minister said that she was honored to be present at the Heroes of Ukraine award ceremony, where the families of soldiers who have fallen defending Ukraine's freedom were also honored. "It was very painful to see a wife with a child in her arms receive an award won by her husband because he fell because of Russian aggression in defense of his family and country," said Silina.

She said that at this ceremony she saw what it truly means to be Ukrainian and how heroically men, women and young people defend their country on the front and also away from the front.

Ukraine's Statehood Day was first celebrated in 2022. The day marks the Christianization of the Kyivan Rus in 988, which is considered to be the beginning of Ukrainian statehood.