Restriction of Russia's military capabilities and deliveries to Ukraine are also matters of our national security - Braze

RIGA - Restriction of Russia's military capabilities and deliveries to Ukraine are also the matters of our national security, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said at a meeting of the European Union's (EU) Foreign Affairs Council on Monday. 

As LETA was told at the Foreign Ministry, Braze on Monday took part in the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council focusing on support to Ukraine defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression, as well as on the situation in the Middle East.

Braze indicated to the council that the situation in Ukraine directly correlates with the security situation in Latvia and also in the EU. "We will not be safe until Ukraine prevails; therefore, Ukraine must receive all the necessary support, and all possible decisions in support of Ukraine must be taken, including military deliveries and the EU’s 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which also includes a ban on exports and transit of manganese ore and the use of windfall profits from immobilized Russian assets," the Latvian minister said. 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba briefed the EU ministers about the tragic consequences of Russian air strikes in Kharkiv last weekend. He thanked the Council for support so far and, highlighting the serious situation in the Kharkiv region, appealed for further assistance in order to strengthen air defense and more effectively protect Ukraine’s territory against the increasing Russian attacks on civilians and the civilian and national strategic infrastructure.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council expressed its solidarity with Estonia, Finland and Lithuania in relation to Russia’s hybrid activities targeting their borders. The member states discussed the current situation in the Middle East with the regional partners – Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates – as well as the Secretary General of the League of Arab States.

The ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Georgia, which has deteriorated due to the law "On transparency of foreign influence" approved by the Georgian Parliament. Braze noted at the meeting that Latvia has always been, and remain friends of Georgia on its path to the EU; however, the Georgian government's recent decisions jeopardize this path.

"At the moment, it is important to continue supporting Georgian civil society so that the democratic debate does not subside, especially in view of the fact that more than 80% of Georgian citizens support Georgia’s accession to the European Union," Braze said, inviting the EU institutions to come up with possible directions for EU action in the light of developments.

Following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Braze took part in the Brussels VIII Conference "Supporting the future of Syria and the region" and met with Ayman Al Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan. 

The Latvian foreign minister invited her Jordanian counterpart to visit Latvia. With regard to the situation in the region, Braze noted that Latvia’s interests lie in as concerted and active engagement by the EU as possible so that the EU would maintain credibility and influence, including through dialogue with global partners and further support to Ukraine.