Smiltens promises unwavering assistance to Ukraine until its victory

  • 2023-01-10
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Latvia's support to Ukraine will be unwavering until Ukraine's victory, said Saeima speaker Edvards Smiltens (United List), seeing off ten Rigas Satiksme buses with humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

He underscored that this assistance is very important to Kyiv.

Rigas Satiksme board chairwoman Dzintea Innusa underscored that the buses now sent off to Kyiv have served for 20 years in Riga, but still are in good technical condition. In December they were still running on Riga streets.

"We send our work, love and wishes for victory to the Ukrainian nation," said Innusa.

Riga vice mayor Edvards Ratnieks (National Alliance/LRA) thanked residents of Riga for the donations.

LETA learned from the Riga City Council communication department that, considering the cold weather conditions and Russia's targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, residents of Riga have donated also warm clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, heaters and power generators.

The total volume of the cargo is about 50 tons, and its monetary value - about EUR 200,000.

As reported, ten buses donated by Riga, loaded with humanitarian aid, headed off to Kyiv today.

The event was attended also by Ukrainian Ambassador to Latvia Olexandr Mischenko.

The first 11 buses donated to Ukraine by Riga were sent to Ukraine in April 2022.