Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration is a contribution to security in the region as a whole - Karins

RIGA - Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration is a contribution to the security in the region as a whole, therefore Latvia will fully support it so that the necessary decisions are taken, Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said on Wednesday as he met with Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska and the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Olha Stefanishyna.

As LETA was told at the Foreign Ministry, in the conversation with Zelenska, the Latvian foreign minister underlined Latvia's unwavering support for Ukraine and stressed the need to work with allies in the European Union (EU) and NATO to secure broader support for Ukraine. 

Karins also noted that Latvia is providing support to about 60,000 Ukrainian refugees and 4,600 schoolchildren studying in Latvian schools, and noted the significant contribution of the Latvian society in supporting Ukraine, which has not diminished despite the fact that two years will soon pass since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At the same time, the foreign minister expressed his determination to continue work to bring Russia to justice for its war crimes, including the illegal removal of more than 20,000 Ukrainian children from the territories temporarily occupied by Ukraine.

In the conversation with Stefanishina, the foreign minister discussed the progress of Ukraine's integration with the EU and recent developments in relation to closer cooperation with NATO.

Karins underlined that the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine was a contribution to security in the region as a whole; therefore, Latvia was fully supporting it and would provide its input towards the adoption of the necessary decisions.

On January 31 and February 1, 2024, Riga is hosting an international conference addressing the issue of Ukrainian children, "Russia’s War on Children". The Foreign Ministry is one of the organizers of the conference.