In anticipation of the NATO Summit in The Hague, and in light of the Saeima’s unequivocal stance supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and Euro-Atlantic integration, on Thursday, 19 June, the Saeima adopted a statement on inviting Ukraine to join NATO.

The statement declares that the Saeima supports inviting Ukraine to join NATO as soon as possible and the continued, swift advancement of Ukraine’s accession process to the European Union

In its statement, the Saeima acknowledges that Ukraine is a close NATO cooperation partner, participating in Alliance exercises, information exchange, and defence cooperation, and highlights the potential contribution of Ukraine’s integration into NATO to strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defence capabilities. The statement declares that Ukraine, through its active resistance to aggression, also enhances the security of other countries in the region.

According to the statement, Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO is a strategic choice aimed at sustainable security and the reinforcement of international order, in line with the geopolitical situation, and no third country has the right to deny Ukraine this strategic choice.

“Ukraine’s accession to NATO will be a long-term investment in strengthening European and transatlantic security and stability. Latvia is fully aware of the security threats posed by Russia to our region and to NATO as a whole. Therefore, we call on its member states to actively advance the process of inviting Ukraine to join our Alliance and to emphasise it at this year’s NATO Summit in The Hague,” highlighted Ināra Mūrniece, Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee. At the Summit in The Hague, the Alliance must signal its readiness to open the path for Ukraine’s accession to NATO.

The Members of Parliament also emphasise that extending an invitation to Ukraine does not entail immediate accession, but delivers a politically and morally significant signal of a clear path towards the Alliance, initiating a transparent and gradual integration process in accordance with Allied consensus.

Saeima Press Service