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“When asked how he felt after signing the Minsk Agreement, President Poroshenko replied that Ukraine needs breathing space, at least for a moment, for a week or two. People are worn out by the war,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, after meeting with Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, during her official visit to Ukraine. “The ceasefire is needed for civilians to relocate to safer places, to restore infrastructure, to give people a chance to get food and medical assistance. If the ceasefire holds, people would suffer less and Ukraine would regain its strength.”
During their meeting, Speaker Mūrniece and President Poroshenko exchanged viewpoints on the impact of Minsk negotiations on the situation in Ukraine. Poroshenko expressed doubt as to whether Russia really intends to stop warfare. The first round of Minsk negotiations in September did not result in a truce; however, now there is more basis for hope because President Putin himself has agreed to the provisions of the Agreement.
The Speaker of the Saeima and the President of Ukraine addressed the provisions of the Minsk Agreement, as well as the actual possibility of implementing them. “One of the most essential elements is the Ukraine-Russia border issue,” emphasised Ināra Mūrniece, because “it is impossible to guarantee peace when a significant part of Ukraine’s border is not under its own control. The issue of the border and its control is on the agenda; however, its resolution remains uncertain.”
President Poroshenko urged Latvia to address on an international level the issues of weapons supplies and strengthening of the Ukraine-Russia border. “I responded that Latvia is not in a position to help with supplying armaments because it currently is in need of them itself,” emphasised Speaker Mūrniece; “however, we understand the idea behind the request – Ukraine needs armaments that would help to strike a balance in the current imbalance of power. Ukraine needs armaments to defend itself. President Poroshenko regards armaments as a deterrent in a situation when Russia sees Ukraine as a weak country.”
The President of Ukraine thanked Latvia for its practical support, while the Speaker of the Saeima attested that we will continue proving humanitarian aid and reform assistance. Ināra Mūrniece told about the treatment and rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers in Latvia, as well as the humanitarian and financial aid it is providing. She particularly emphasised that Latvian society, especially volunteers, are involved in gathering humanitarian aid. Both parties agreed that special support is needed for Ukrainian children.
The Latvian delegation informed the President of Ukraine that Latvia has an opportunity to address the issue of Ukraine in the framework of its presidency of the Council of the European Union. During the meeting, both sides agreed that bilateral relations between Latvia and Ukraine are very friendly and based on deep mutual understanding; it was also agreed to intensify cooperation in reform implementation. The Speaker of the Saeima emphasised that Latvia, like the rest of Europe, wants to see Ukraine as a stable, strong and sustainable country, and it is ready to lend a helping hand in Ukraine’s pursuit of reforms and economic recovery.
From 12 to 14 February, the Speaker of the Saeima is on an official visit to Ukraine. In Kiev, the Speaker met with Volodymyr Groysman, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, laid flowers at the Maidan Nezalezhnosti in honour of victims, and visited the Holodomor Genocide Memorial. The Speaker also launched the ceremonial opening of the renovated premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Ukraine. On her visit, the Speaker of the Saeima is accompanied by Lolita Čigāne, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee; Rihards Kols, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee; as well as Ainārs Mežulis, Head of the Saeima group for interparliamentary relations with Ukraine.
Saeima Press Service