All member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should increase their assistance to Ukraine, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (JV) said during his remote participation in the meeting of foreign ministers of the OSCE countries in Vienna today.
“Exactly a year ago, Russia started its brutal war against Ukraine. Russia’s aggression, facilitated by Belarus, has shaken the security architecture in Europe. We must stand against the aggressor and his violations of international law,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs about Rinkevich’s statement.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that both Ukraine and any other sovereign country have the right to choose their own foreign policy course. “Ukraine has the right to defend itself against foreign aggression. Latvia honors all Ukrainians who died defending their homeland. The sole responsibility for the war lies with Russia. Russia started this war, and Russia alone can and must end it immediately. Russia must withdraw its forces from the entire territory of Ukraine,” Rinkevich said.
At the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned deliberate Russian attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. “Too many innocent civilians, including children, have been killed. More than 17 million people have been forced to leave their homes or leave their country,” Rinkevič emphasized.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia called on all OSCE member states to increase aid to Ukraine.
“Since the first day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Latvia has provided it with all possible support. Latvia accepts refugees from Ukraine and will continue to provide humanitarian and defense assistance to Ukraine,” said the politician, noting that Latvia contributes to the Ukraine support program at the OSCE level.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that Latvia has also supported OSCE experts investigating Russia’s human rights violations in Ukraine.
“The results clearly proved that Russia has committed war crimes and human rights violations in Ukraine. Russia will be held accountable. In addition to persistent efforts to investigate the heinous crimes, Latvia calls for the creation of a special international tribunal to examine the crime of aggression against Ukraine,” Rinkevičs said in his speech.
We already wrote that in the early morning of February 24 last year, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Western countries have imposed extensive sanctions on Russia for such actions.
