Zelensky, Levits sign declaration on Latvia's support for Ukraine’s integration into EU, NATO

The signing took place following the negotiations between the two leaders in Lviv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Together with Egils Levits we signed a joint declaration confirming Latvia's support for Ukraine’s full-fledged European and Euro-Atlantic integration," Zelensky said.

The President is convinced that it’s only with Ukraine in its composition that the European project will become truly complete, and it’s only with Ukraine in its composition that NATO will become a truly strong defender of the European nations and all common values.

Zelensky thanked the President of Latvia and the entire Latvian people for the continuous support for Ukraine on its path towards the European Union and NATO.

In the signed declaration, the parties reaffirm their support for the principles of international law, the inviolability of borders, and the right for each state to choose its own path and security arrangements; reiterate their demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders; appreciate the continued support by Latvia, comprising the efforts by the Government, municipalities, civil society and NGOs, to help Ukraine withstand the Russian aggression and to assist with the reconstruction and fast recovery, notably, in the Chernihiv area; note the readiness to remain fully committed to the policy of non-recognition of illegal annexation of Ukraine’s territories by Russia; recognize the importance of cooperating at the UN General Assembly and other UN bodies, in view of the extensive work done at the level of the UN in addressing the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The parties also deplore the dire human rights and humanitarian consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, including the continuous attacks against critical infrastructure across Ukraine with devastating consequences for civilians, and express grave concern at the high number of civilian casualties, including women and children, the number of internally displaced persons and refugees in need of humanitarian assistance, and violations and abuses committed against children.

The parties underline their firm commitment to bring to justice those responsible of war crimes and other serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and to support the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression; emphasize the need to establish a legal basis for the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and for the purposes of reparation.

In addition, the parties underline Ukraine’s sovereign decision on the peace process and highlight their support to a Global Peace Summit to be convened when conditions allow; emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s consistent efforts of continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program, aimed at enhancing the global food security.

Ukraine and Latvia also confirm their commitment to strengthen joint efforts to ensure further progress towards the implementation of EU and NATO standards and the integration of Ukraine with the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance.

At the same time, it has been declared that the Republic of Latvia will continue to promote the EU and Allies’ strong and effective political and material support for Ukraine aimed at ensuring the ability of the Ukrainian state to effectively defend its territories on land, at sea and in the air. It is stressed that the Republic of Latvia supports Ukraine to become part of the North Atlantic Alliance as soon as conditions allow.

Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia express readiness to hold bilateral consultations on addressing Ukraine’s security concerns prior to NATO membership; following the 2022 Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Summit and Business Forum in Riga, Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia emphasize the importance of multi-layer involvement of Ukraine as a partner in 3SI activities. The Republic of Latvia, as a 3SI Participating State will promote Ukraine’s involvement in different projects in order to facilitate the post-war recovery, particularly, in the areas of energy infrastructure, transport and digitalization.

Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia commit to coordinate closely on these matters by intensifying bilateral consultations.

As reported by Ukrinform, in Lviv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, together with President of Latvia Egils Levits and his wife Andra Levite, honored the memory of Ukrainian warriors fallen during the war.