EU must find way to unblock loan for Ukraine – Latvian PM

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina stated this before the start of the EU leaders meeting in Brussels on March 19, Ukrinform's correspondent reports.

"I don't think we need to adjust a lot to those who do not want to fulfill what has been agreed by all the leaders in EUCO, because Ukraine really needs EUR 90 billiion… and that was our decision. And it's not just because of Ukraine, it is for the benefit of Europe," she said, adding that she expects Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to fulfill the promise he made to European colleagues in December, despite his election campaign, which is directed against Ukraine and Europe.

Silina stressed that Ukraine needs these funds while the war is ongoing and will also need them afterward for reconstruction.

She also said she does not want Europe to make decisions in favor of Russia, particularly in the energy sector. The current geopolitical situation benefits Russia, she noted, pointing to the risk that Europe could become more dependent on Russia, its gas, and oil. In this context, Silina said the situation with the Druzhba pipeline can be resolved through "bold political decisions and tough management work" together with all European leaders, in order to avoid dependence on Russia, but certainly not by returning to cooperation with Russia.

"We really need more self-sufficiency in Europe… More self-capabilities will give us more freedom for our decisions on how we will drive our future… If Europe is more self-sufficient in energy, which is the highest demand for any business right now, it is a smart move," she said.

Europeans, she added, are already paying a price for the crises caused by Russia. Therefore, the bill should be placed on Russia, not Ukraine.

She noted that European leaders have done significant work together with transatlantic partners, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and many other countries in the Coalition of the Willing, to weaken Russia's ability to generate financial resources for its war machine.

"Russia cannot benefit from the war, because it would be a mistake… We can not forget that Russia is making its way to get rid of sanctions. Russia needs to pay the price," Silina stressed.

As a reminder, Evika Silina was among the politicians who visited Kyiv on February 24, marking the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.