Latvia

Latvia will send the first batch of drones produced by its military industry to support Ukraine.

At the extraordinary meeting, international partners promised to start supplying Ukraine with various modifications of drones, including Canada will provide 450 SkyRanger UAVs, Lithuania will allocate funds for the production of FPV drones, the Netherlands will sign contracts with Denmark and Germany for the supply of Heidrun RQ-35 drones.

At the meeting with the Baltic ministers, Ukraine's Interior Minister discussed security issues such as attacks on infrastructure, mining, migration, arms trafficking, and protecting schools, while the partners viewed the destruction caused by the Russian invasion using virtual reality and pledged support in the form of funds, equipment, training, and reconstruction efforts until Ukraine's victory.

President Zelenskyy announced that Germany would provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense system, and that work is underway to obtain an additional IRIS-T system and missiles for existing air defense systems from Germany.

According to the deputy head of the Presidential Administration, Ukraine is currently negotiating with about 10 countries to sign security agreements, with some agreements expected to be signed within a month.

This year, Latvia will provide Ukraine with about 112 million euros in military assistance. The country will also help with the restoration of Ukraine and the protection of Ukraine's critical infrastructure

Latvia will provide Ukraine with annual military aid of 0. 25% of GDP, as well as support in cyber defense, demining, and drones for 10 years, while unconditionally supporting Ukraine's EU and NATO membership applications.

The Latvian Security Service is investigating the possible illegal participation of some citizens in the war in Ukraine on the side of the Russians. armed forces.

German fighter jets intercepted a Russian spy plane flying without a transponder over the Baltic Sea on April 6.

Ukraine proposes to ban air transit to Russia and Belarus to prevent Russian businesses and tourists from using EU airspace and to increase sanctions pressure on the aggressor.

Prime Minister Shmyhal discussed with Latvian lawmakers their comprehensive support for Ukraine and thanked them for their military and financial assistance.

Ukraine and Latvia discussed the launch of joint production of 155-mm shells and drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and Latvia will provide treatment and rehabilitation for wounded Ukrainian soldiers.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal calls for closing all loopholes in the circumvention of sanctions and imposing sanctions on the entire russian military-industrial complex, nuclear energy, metallurgy, finance, and other sectors.

Ukraine and Latvia have signed an agreement on technical and financial cooperation for Ukraine's recovery, including €5 million from Latvia, which is expected to be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament this month.

Latvia plans to hand over to Ukraine the first drones worth 1 million euros as part of the Drone Coalition, which have been tested and recognized as combat-ready.

Latvia is keen to continue supporting Ukraine, so it is already preparing the next military aid package, which includes logistical items, ammunition and weapons.

The Latvian Prime Minister emphasized that Russia must lose the war against Ukraine for Europe and Latvia to live in peace. It is the duty of the world to help Ukraine win this war for values, freedom, democracy and Ukraine's right to preserve its statehood and identity.

The Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine outside the EU needs more funding, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said, calling on allies to provide more money to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal will visit Latvia on April 4, 2024 to discuss support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, closer economic and security cooperation between the two countries, and a new €9. 6 million aid package from Latvia for Ukraine's recovery and military support.

Latvia has approved a package of assistance to Ukraine in 2024, including €5. 3 million for reconstruction and €4.3 million to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the European Peace Fund.

44 countries support the creation of a special tribunal to investigate and prosecute the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the Netherlands has offered to host it.

Three individuals, including the head of a strategic state-owned enterprise, its beneficial owner and an accountant, were charged with causing UAH 3. 2 million in losses through a scheme involving overpriced contracts and falsification of documents.

The Latvian government will allocate 4. 44 million euros to the Social Integration Fund to organize free cultural orientation courses, Latvian language lessons and integration activities for Ukrainian refugees living in the country.

The United Kingdom will not be able to fight Russia for more than two months due to a lack of resources, says Deputy Chief of Defense Staff Rob Magowan.

Latvia is planning to auction off a land plot in Riga and the Moscow House located on it, which previously belonged to the government of the Russian capital, and use the proceeds to support Ukraine.

Latvian airline airBaltic has discussed with Ukrainian officials its strategic plans to resume operations in the Ukrainian market after the airspace reopens for civilian flights after the war.

Baltic leaders call on NATO members to reintroduce conscription and significantly increase military spending to Cold War levels to deter potential Russian aggression.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is establishing direct cooperation with Western arms manufacturers, such as Colt Canada Corporation, to supply small arms and meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under commercial contracts.

The European Commission is preparing to impose tariffs on grain products from Belarus and Russia to prevent Russian grain from destabilizing the European market, stop Russia from profiting from exports to the EU, and ensure that illegally exported stolen Ukrainian grain does not enter the EU market.

Five European countries-Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic - have called on the European Commission to ban grain imports from Russia and Belarus to prevent Russia from financing the war against Ukraine.