In a time when Russia attacks Ukraine, no celebration of Victory Day on 9 May is possible, the people who died in WWII should be commemorated at cemeteries and with candles lit in windows, said Member of the European Parliament, Harmony political party leader and a regular patron of 9 May festivities Nils Ušakovs.
«To commemorate the fallen, we will invite residents to lay flowers at cemeteries and light candles in windows on 9 May. I urge people to come and lay flowers at the Victory Monument, because a full ban would mean increasing tension and security risks,» said Ušakovs.
The politician supports establishing an exhibition featuring photos from Ukraine, but he suggests organising it in the centre of Riga, because this way more people would be able to see it.
Ušakovs said he is positive about the work of the State Police and State Security Service, adding with confidence that this year these two institutions will do their jobs well this year.
«Russian and Ukrainian soldiers once fought side by side against Nazism. Now Russians attack Ukrainians. This means there can be no room for any celebration. We cannot allow Putin and Kremlin steal our memory and dates – we cannot allow this,» said the MEP.
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As it is known, the Chief of Latvian State Police Armands Ruks said in a recent interview to LTV that any gatherings and festivities on 9 May, when Victory Day is celebrated, will be considered by law enforcers in Latvia as support for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.