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As the war reaches a decisive phase, Europe must assume a leading role in both Ukraine's peace process and its reconstruction. Ukraine's future within Europe is not only a matter of shared interest but also of shared responsibility. A free Ukraine in the common European family is a vision we all hold dear. This was the key message delivered by the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, on Tuesday, 14 January, in Kyiv, during her meeting with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

A visit to Ukraine in January, the darkest and coldest month of the year, has become both a tradition and a mission—an expression of solidarity and unwavering support in the fight against a brutal aggressor, remarked the Speaker of the Saeima. Daily attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure continue, particularly targeting energy facilities that supply electricity and heating to its citizens. Inhumane treatment of captured Ukrainian soldiers persists, and Ukrainian families are still waiting for the return of children who were forcibly taken. Speaker Mieriņa stressed the importance of speaking out about these atrocious crimes and ensuring that those responsible are held to account.

Mr. Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude to Latvia for its leadership and the selfless assistance it has provided across military, humanitarian, and diplomatic domains. He highlighted Ukraine's high regard for Latvia's contributions, including the training and rehabilitation of soldiers and its efforts in rebuilding the Chernihiv region.

"Ukraine has not been abandoned for even a single day. Latvia stands—and will continue to stand—alongside Ukraine until victory over the occupiers is achieved. Wherever Latvia has a seat at the table, Ukraine's interests are represented," Speaker Mieriņa affirmed. She reiterated Latvia's commitment to providing both military and non-military support and to assisting Ukraine in its journey towards membership in the European Union and NATO.

In the coming years, Latvia has pledged to allocate annual military aid to Ukraine equivalent to 0.25 per cent of its gross domestic product. Additionally, Latvia will invest five million euros annually in Ukraine's reconstruction. Since the onset of the devastating war, Latvia has provided more than 840 million euros in aid to Ukraine.

During the visit, the Latvian delegation laid flowers at monuments commemorating fallen National Guard soldiers, as well as members and staff of the Parliament. They also visited sites in the government quarter that were destroyed by Russian strikes on 1 January.

Speaker Mieriņa was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, Antoņina Ņenaševa, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ināra Mūrniece, the Chair of the Defence, Internal Affairs, and Corruption Prevention Committee, Raimonds Bergmanis, and the Secretary of the Committee, Jānis Skrastiņš, who heads the parliamentary cooperation group with Ukraine.

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Saeima Press Service