Prolonging of EU sanctions on Russia shows unwavering support for Ukraine - PM Silina

RIGA - The extension of the European Union's (EU) sanctions against Russia demonstrates unwavering support for Ukraine, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) said.

The prime minister's spokeswoman Anna Udre told LETA that Silina attended the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, where EU heads of state and government agreed to extend sectoral sanctions against Russia.

Silina stressed that support for Ukraine is of the utmost importance. In the war launched by the aggressor state Russia, Ukraine is defending not only its own freedom, but also our security and common values, she said. "It is important to me that we are united in Europe and provide real support to Ukraine. We need to make it clear to Russia that the pressure will not let up until a just and lasting peace is achieved. The extension of sanctions against Russia shows our unwavering support for Ukraine," said Ms Silina.

At the European Council, the Latvian prime minister also raised the issue of the security of the EU's external borders, underlining the need to strengthen the EU's collective resilience to geopolitical and hybrid threats. Earlier, a joint letter of the leaders of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland was submitted to address the security challenges at their external borders.

International developments, including the situation in the Middle East, as well as strengthening the EU's defense capabilities, support for Ukraine, migration policy, boosting EU competitiveness and innovation, were also on the agenda of the European Council meeting. Silina underlined that investing in security and cutting red tape develop EU competitiveness and growth.

As reported, the meeting of the European Union's (EU) heads of state and government in Brussels on Thursday agreed to extend sanctions on Russia for another six months, but failed to agree on a new sanctions package because of the objections raised by Slovakia, officials said.

The decision at a summit in Brussels means that the EU's sweeping sanctions over the war in Ukraine, including the freezing of more than EUR 200 billion in Russian central bank assets, will remain in force until at least early 2026.

Slovakian leader Roberto Fico refused at the summit to greenlight the 18th round of sanctions due to a separate dispute with Brussels over plans to cut off imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027.

Fico held talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen earlier on Thursday but failed to get the concessions he wants and announced he would hold up approval of the sanctions package.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged EU leaders in a video address to adopt the strong package "targeting Russia's oil trade, shadow tanker fleet, banks, and supply chains that bring equipment or parts for making weapons".