President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Latvian politicians and people about the war in Ukraine and called for increased sanctions on russia.
In his speech, the head of state stressed that the weapons that Ukraine received from Latvia, began to save the lives of Ukrainian citizens from the first hours of full-scale russian aggression.
"While many others were hesitant, looking for excuses, you were among those who acted. And now you continue to help us as much as possible. And in the defense sphere, and support for sanctions, and humanitarian support, and extremely warm attitude to our citizens who found temporary refuge in Latvia. Ukraine will always remember your help, "Zelensky stressed.
He also touched on the proposals of some foreign politicians to make concessions to russia.
"... Now we hear again that russia should be given what it wants ... There are serious talks about drawing some demarcation lines along the body of a sovereign state to allegedly "pacify" the aggressor. And allegedly concessions are needed. Concessions and concessions again - of course, at the expense of the attacked state, so that the aggressor allegedly mercifully stopped. And this is about Ukraine, which for the fourth month is defending itself in a full-scale war against the second strongest army in the world," said the President.
He stressed that "we must fight absolutely clearly and at all levels for the principle "every nation matters", so the interests of any nation cannot be ignored, betrayed or exchanged for something in a relationship with those who want to make this nation dependent from themselves."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the unity of the whole of Europe in the fight against russian aggression. After all, "russia is openly saying that they will not be limited to Ukraine. They also need the Baltic states, Poland and other European countries."
"We need the strength and unity of Europe for russia to pay for this war - to pay the full price, including through sanctions and confiscation of its assets. Having experienced these losses, it must learn that war creates the biggest problems for the aggressor," he said.
He added that the EU should adopt the 6th package of sanctions and not limit itself to this.
"It is necessary not only to finally agree on the sixth sanctions package against the russian federation, including the embargo on oil, oil mixtures and oil products, but also to prepare the seventh sanctions package with even stronger restrictions for russia for terror against Ukraine. Like Latvia, all Europe has to limit russia's energy weapons. Completely," the head of state stressed.
Now the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba discussed with the new Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France sanction pressure on the russian federation and granting to Ukraine the status of the candidate for EU members.
European Union countries have reported the freezing of about 23 billion euros ($24.5 billion) in assets of russia's Central Bank.