Statement by Mr. Reinis Brusbārdis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia at the United Nations General Assembly meeting “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine”
23 February 2024, New York
Mister President,
The 24th of February 2022 will forever be recalled as the day when Russia started its unprovoked and illegal invasion of peaceful Ukraine.
Two years on, Russia’s brutal war of aggression continues to bring immense pain and suffering for people of Ukraine.
Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is violating international law and the United Nations Charter by invading a sovereign neighbouring country.
It is a shameful attack against the rules-based international order. We, as international community must be resolute and stand against such an attack.
This General Assembly has overwhelmingly condemned Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and attempted illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions.
Furthermore, the impact of this senseless war is felt globally as the food crisis elevates. Russia must stop this war!
Mister President,
It is vital that the international community continues to provide all necessary support to Ukraine.
Latvia stands together with Ukraine. Ukraine has a right to defend itself against foreign aggression. We believe in Ukraine’s victory.
Temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and the people therein are not forgotten. These territories and Ukrainians in them are an integral part of Ukraine.
Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions, along with Crimea and Sevastopol are and will remain Ukraine.
We call upon Russia to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
Meanwhile, Russia is undertaking efforts to wipe out Ukrainian culture and identity in the temporarily occupied territories.
Horrific crimes that Russia has committed in Ukraine remind of the bitter experience of Latvian people during the Soviet occupation.
Filtration camps, forceful deportations of civilians, forced mobilisation, illegal detentions and prosecutions, executions outside courts, illegal adoption of children and forced passportization are from the same playbook.
Russia continues to deny its committed crimes, seeks to justify its illegal invasion and blames anyone but itself for it.
War crimes committed by Russia cannot go unpunished. Accountability will be ensured.
Thank you.