During a meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers Council in Brussels, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs detailed the need to continue working in order to prepare the seventh package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, as confirmed by the ministry’s press-centre.
«We cannot forget about the co-responsibility of the regime in Belarus in Russia’s war against Ukraine. We must continue providing all necessary aid to Ukraine, especially military aid as part of European Peace Mechanism. We support the approval of the fifth package of aid for Ukrainian armed forces,» said the Latvian minister at the meeting.
The Latvian minister said he is confident it is important to continue coordinated communication and maintain an active political dialogue with international society and thereby form a united stance on Russian aggression in Ukraine.
During the meeting Latvia’s minister also stressed the need for the European Union and its member states to assist with development of the countries that are affected by the food crisis caused by Russia by providing them with direct food aid to show solidarity and have these countries support EU’s position against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
«This would help reduce the potential migration flow to the EU, which will come as a result of the situation worsening,» said Rinkēvičs.
As for exports of Ukrainian grain, Latvian minister said it is necessary to take into account Ukraine’s interests and security considerations.
«In international efforts to ensure exports of Ukrainian grains it is necessary to take into account Ukraine’s interests and security. Russia must compensate Ukraine all the losses caused by this aggression and take responsibility for destroying Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure,» said the minister.
He added at the meeting that Europe must develop legal solutions to allow confiscation of Russian assets and their use for Ukraine’s recovery.
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