Saeima calls on EC and EU to further strengthen sanctions against Russia

RIGA - The Saeima released a statement today, which calls on the European Commission (EC) and the European Union (EU) Member States to further strengthen sanctions against Russia by developing new proposals on how to restrict Russian energy trade.

It also calls for action to tackle the shadow fleet ecosystem, proposals to weaken Russia's financial sector, deny it access to European technologies and services, and prevent sanctions evasion.

Parliament underlines its categorical condemnation of Russia's unlawful and unprovoked aggression and its ongoing violations of international law, which have been ongoing in Ukraine since the full-scale armed invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022.

The Saeima also reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine and its people in their struggle for independence, sovereignty and the right to decide for themselves the future of their country, including their membership of international organizations and military alliances.

Parliament points out that Russia must take full responsibility for all its crimes against Ukraine, which range from waging war to violations of international law and human rights, and must compensate the Ukrainian state and its people for all the damage caused by these violations.

In parallel, the Saeima statement draws attention to Russia's deliberate threat to peace and the international order based on the principles of international law throughout Europe. This is evidenced by Russia's provocative violations of NATO member states' airspace borders, attacks on critical infrastructure, as well as covert hybrid attacks on electoral and other democratic processes in several European countries, aimed at increasing polarization and sowing distrust in state institutions among the population, the statement stressed.

Parliament points out that Russia aims to undermine peace and the international order based on the rule of law, violates the basic principles of the UN Charter on the non-use of force, blatantly disregards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states, and carries out various forms of attacks and provocations aimed at undermining the support provided to Ukraine by other states.

The Saeima reiterates Latvia's unwavering support for Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO, Ukraine's membership of the European family of democracies and welcomes the reforms implemented by Ukraine and the progress it has made in continuing its fight against Russian military aggression. It also reiterates its call for all opportunities to be taken to support Ukraine in its fight for the security of its country and of Europe as a whole.

The Parliament urges the EC and the EU Council to start without delay the opening of clusters of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, thus welcoming the progress Ukraine has made so far despite Russia's war of aggression.

The Parliament also confirms Latvia's readiness to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to implement reforms and move towards full EU membership, and calls on EU Member States to reach agreement on the full use of frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia to support Ukraine, including in the military and reconstruction sectors.

In its statement, the Saeima underlines the importance of sanctions which restrict Russia's access to resources and technology and thus undermine its economic and military capacity to continue the war in Ukraine. The Parliament welcomes and commends the European Council's agreement on the 19th round of EU sanctions.

In addition, the Saeima confirms Latvia's readiness to work with Ukraine and other partners to ensure safe passage home for Ukrainians returning to Ukraine, in particular for deported children.

The Latvian Parliament also calls on partners to provide Ukraine without delay with all necessary military support, including effective air defense and long-range weapons, and to allow Ukraine to use these weapons as it deems necessary for self-defense, including without restriction against legitimate targets on Russian territory.

The Saeima calls on partners to implement the "peace through strength" approach to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.