Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs has sent a letter to Daugavpils City Council chairman Andrejs Elksniņš. In it the minister invites the mayor to respect the country’s chosen course of foreign policy, as confirmed by the ministry.
In response to a recent statement from Elksniņš about Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Rinkēvičs once again reminded him of Latvia’s official position on related topics.
The minister noted that all Latvian officials are obligated to follow the country’s foreign policy positions. He also invited Elksniņš as a municipal officials to strictly follow those positions and be clear and unambiguous in his public statements about topics related to foreign policy.
In his letter, the minister stresses that Latvia strongly condemns «Russia’s unjustified, illegal and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine». He stresses that Russia’s actions are «a blatant violation of UN statutes and international law».
Rinkēvičs notes that Latvia’s unambiguously recognises Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders.
The fake referenda organised by Russia in 2014 and 2022 and their results in occupied Ukrainian territories are illegal and do not reflect the will of the Ukrainian people.
Latvia also strongly condemns and does not recognise the illegal annexation of territories in Ukraine by Russia. Zaporozhzia, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson, as well as Crimea and Sevastopol, are internationally recognised Ukrainian territories, the minister stresses in the letter.
The minister also points attention towards the fact that this position was clearly maintained by Latvia in official positions presented to the UN and European Union. The letter also mentions Latvia’s confidence that Ukraine, like any other country, has the right for self-defence. Ukraine has the right to use military strength to restore its territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders.
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Rinkēvičs especially stresses that Latvia’s government, local governments, NGO sector, businesses and society provide Ukraine will all possible aid, so that the country can win in the war that was unfairly ignited by Russia.