On Thursday, 21 April, the Saeima unanimously adopted a statement on the aggression and war crimes of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, expressing solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. In the Statement, the Saeima acknowledges that the Russian Federation is currently committing genocide against the people of Ukraine.
In the Statement, the Saeima supports the initiatives of democratic states to join efforts in collecting and investigating evidence of war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in the entire territory of Ukraine. Members of the Saeima welcome the investigation launched by the International Criminal Court into the war crimes committed in Ukraine and express certainty that each and every person that has committed war crimes or crimes against humanity, or is responsible for committing or not preventing such crimes, will be brought to justice.
The Saeima categorically condemns the Russian Federation’s military aggression and wide‑scale invasion of Ukraine that was carried out with the support and involvement of the regime in Belarus.
The Statement underlines that the Russian Federation’s unjustifiable invasion of the territory of Ukraine is a gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and is manifestly contrary to the obligations of the Russian Federation under the Charter of the UN and international legal provisions.
“Latvia and its people have shown their unwavering support, loyalty, and solidarity with Ukraine and its people. By adopting this Statement in a unanimous vote, we continue to do so. Moreover, we must not forget the most important priority at this time, namely, protecting the people of Ukraine from further crimes against humanity and helping Ukraine free its land from occupants,” noted Rihards Kols, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, after the adoption of the Statement.
“The only way to achieve this is to immediately and radically increase the supply of weapons to Ukraine and to stop the EU imports of fossil energy resources from Russia at once. Continued financing of Russia’s war machine is morally inexcusable and strategically myopic. To stop it, the leaders of Western countries will need significant political courage,” emphasised the Chair of the Committee.
“For months, countries have been hesitant to provide weapon supplies in fear of provoking Putin. However, as Russia continues to commit ever greater atrocities, this caution no longer serves as excuse or justification, and it does not warrant permitting the possibility of further genocide at the very heart of Europe, in Ukraine,” expressed Kols.
The Saeima calls on the Euro-Atlantic community and its partners to urgently establish comprehensive sanctions against Russia in order to stop the Russian military’s capacity to continue military aggression in Ukraine. In addition, the Parliament calls to increase military, financial, humanitarian, and diplomatic support for Ukraine, unanimously support initiatives that condemn Russia’s military activity in Ukraine and isolate Russia from international and regional organisations, and make decisions and establish comparable sanctions targeting Belarus as the supporter of the military aggression of Russia.
In addition, the parliamentarians call on the EU member states to immediately stop imports of Russian oil and gas.
In the Statement, the Saeima condemns Russia’s abuse of its veto power at the United Nations Security Council and calls for accelerating UN reforms.
The Statement is based on extensive testimonies and evidence of brutal mass atrocities—the murders, torture, sexual violence and desecration of Ukrainian civilians, including women and children—committed by the Russian Army in Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, and other regions. As emphasised in the Statement, as a member state of the UN, the Council of Europe, the EU, and NATO and a defender of democratic values, Latvia cannot accept the actions of the Russian Federation, carrying out mass destruction of Ukrainian people.
Members of the Saeima honour the courage and valour of the defenders of Ukraine and commemorate every victim of the aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
Saeima Press Service