If Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, it will continue its aggression in Europe, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (JV) said in Brussels today.
The Foreign Ministry was informed that the Minister met with the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic and Benelux countries today to discuss the situation in Ukraine, as well as to discuss possible further steps against Russia’s aggression.
During the meeting, Rinkēvičs expressed the position that close coordination with the allies in the European Union (EU) is important, both in providing support to Ukraine and in maintaining a strict policy of sanctions and international isolation against Russia and Belarus. The Minister expressed support for further restrictive measures against Russia’s main sources of income, including oil and coal, and forbidding access to Russian ships in EU ports.
He believes that if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, it will continue aggression in Europe. Therefore, Russia must be stopped in Ukraine, preventing it from regaining its capabilities and desire for war in the long term.
It is also necessary to continue and step up all support for Ukraine. “It is not in our interest to freeze any kind of war, but for Ukraine to win. An agreement to end the war can only be reached through direct talks between Ukraine and Russia,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodomir Zelensky has a strong popular mandate and a full understanding of the situation in Ukraine, and Western allies must respect it in supporting Ukraine’s decisions on the negotiating process and conditions, the foreign minister said.
The Foreign Minister also emphasized that the solidarity of the West and the international community with Ukraine, as well as all forms of EU assistance and support, strengthen Ukraine’s position.
Rinkēvičs emphasized the need to deploy a permanent NATO force in the Baltic region, taking into account the security situation in the region.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of Luxembourg, as well as the Minister for Immigration and Asylum Jean Asselborn, the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade Sofia Wilmes, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Vopke Hukstra, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia Eva Maria Limets and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabriel Lansberg.
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