Latvian, Lithuanian foreign ministers to visit Kyiv on April 15

13.04.2021 17:54

Ukrinform

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics will pay a working visit to Kyiv on April 15 to express solidarity and reaffirm his strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a statement posted on the website of the Latvian Foreign Ministry.

"Russia's recent military activity and movements including the build-up of its military forces in the immediate vicinity of the territory of Ukraine pose a significant threat to security in the region; therefore, it is important that Latvia voice its unwavering support for Ukraine under these complicated circumstances," Rinkevics said ahead of the visit.

According to the statement, during the visit he is to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and other senior Ukrainian officials.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis will also arrive in Kyiv on Thursday, April 15, "to show solidarity" amid rising tensions with Russia.

Earlier, Rinkevics and Landsbergis said that Latvia and Lithuania support the idea of granting Ukraine a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP), which will allow the country to become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia to immediately stop provocations in Ukraine and along its borders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for the support of NATO allies in granting Ukraine the MAP.