In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa to discuss the continuation of defense support for Ukrainian soldiers and Ukraine’s path toward European integration.
The head of state thanked Evika Siliņa and her team for coming to Ukraine precisely on Ukrainian Statehood Day.
“We truly count on your country and know that Latvia — both the country and its people — is a great friend of Ukraine and Ukrainians,” the president said.
Evika Siliņa assured that Latvia will continue to support Ukraine. According to the prime minister, the country has already begun delivering the defense aid package promised during the previous leaders’ meeting, which includes 42 Patria armored vehicles.
“We are grateful for your significant support and the delivery of the promised Patria armored vehicles. This is a very good signal for our army, for our soldiers,” Volodymyr Zelensky noted.
The head of state also expressed gratitude for the new military support package approved by the Latvian government on July 1, amounting to €70 million.
Additionally, the president highlighted Latvia’s decision to allocate 0.25% of its GDP to defense aid for Ukraine and Latvia’s co-leadership in the drone coalition.
“I hope you will defeat Russia. We are all together. We must do this. We have no other choice. We must keep pressuring Putin to push him out of Ukraine and from our homes. Because this is also serious for us,” Evika Siliņa said.
During the meeting, they discussed the situation on the battlefield, the effectiveness of drones, the supply of Ukrainian soldiers, and mechanisms for financing military aid within the EU’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program.
The leaders also talked about the practical aspects of delivering new defense support packages from NATO member countries.
Furthermore, they addressed political support for Ukraine on its path to EU membership and the efforts required to open six negotiation clusters this year. Volodymyr Zelensky and Evika Siliņa share the same view: it is crucial to do everything possible to unblock the negotiation process as soon as possible.
