The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia breaks tradition – on her first visit she goes to Ukraine instead of the Baltic States / Article

Changes in traditions come with the conditions of war. The new foreign minister, who was confirmed in office a week ago, did not go to Estonia or Lithuania on her first bilateral visit, as foreign ministers have been doing for decades.

Instead, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže visited the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, on Friday.

“I discussed with both Estonian and Lithuanian colleagues that, of course, our absolute priority is Ukraine, support for Ukraine, victory in the war, defeating Russia. To do this effectively, of course, you have to be here, meet with Ukrainian representatives and understand what they see both in the short term in the next few months and in the long term how to achieve the goals that we have set together. They are not only our own security, but the main thing is the victory of Ukraine,” said Braze.

The minister started her visit at a Ukrainian energy supply company, which was badly hit by a Russian missile attack last year – the factory was hit by a Russian ballistic missile “Kinzhal”, and now the company has already done a lot to be able to resume work, including in the destroyed part of the factory.

Electricity supply to millions of consumers depends on whether this company works, and the Latvian delegation had the opportunity to see firsthand both the extent of the damage and how quickly the Ukrainians were able to mitigate the consequences and make the conditions such that the work could continue.

A representative of the company, whose name cannot be disclosed for security reasons, told Latvian Radio what the working conditions were like in the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion.

“Everyone thought that all the people would leave, but no one left from us, no one! We had 17 boiler houses temporarily occupied. Battles took place at six of them – attacks were repelled at them. I think that all energy workers are like that… ours – definitely are like that . And we are working only thanks to these people,” he said.

Latvijas Radio also had the opportunity to see firsthand how creative Ukrainians have come up with ways to protect their people during attacks.

For example, small metal shelters have been built in certain rooms, where to hide during airstrikes – so that the missiles do not tear them to pieces.

People are protected, but, of course, Ukraine currently needs help to protect its energy supply facilities – both anti-aircraft weapons and other measures are being considered, such as decentralization of systems and the construction of fortifications, as well as backup generation capacities, and in this sense Latvia is already helping and will continue to help with everything possible, the minister assured on Friday.

Later, the minister laid flowers at the memorial wall of those who died in the war in Kyiv and met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleb.

During the meeting, the two ministers finally got to know each other personally. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said, it took less than a second to establish a good contact. A series of issues concerning Latvia’s aid to Ukraine were discussed.

“We respect Latvia’s decision to join the Czech initiative in the procurement of artillery shells, we also talked about the production of shells. I thank Latvia for its leadership in the drone coalition, and joint work is currently underway to increase production capacity. More drones are needed, and Ukrainian and Latvian companies can do a lot there. ” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Issues related to the strengthening of sanctions against Russia were also discussed, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also highly praised Braze’s position at the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council held this week, paying special attention to the strengthening of sanctions against Russia.

As the minister explained at the press conference on Friday, there is still a lot to be done in strengthening the sanctions and Latvia will, figuratively speaking, keep a firm hand on the pulse of this issue.

At the joint press conference, Kuleba was also asked about the results of the drone coalition led by Latvia. Kuleba admitted that these results can be measured simply – whether or not the number of drones delivered to the front is increasing. And that number is growing.

Kuleba was also questioned about the suspension of consular services for men of conscription age residing in foreign countries. This decision raised great objections among Ukrainians living abroad.

In Poland, the Czech Republic and elsewhere these days, there are huge queues at the consular services, where Ukrainian men are still trying to get new documents, but it is impossible.

“I think it is fair to those Ukrainian men who stayed here and who work in the Ukrainian economy and fight in the country’s army. I think it will be fair to them if men from abroad return to Ukraine and stand by them in defense of the country – a country that has given them everything.

I want to remind you of one fact – all men of conscription age who left Ukraine for various reasons after February 24, 2022 – they got legal status and social benefits in respectable countries for only one reason – because they are citizens of Ukraine,” said Kuleba.

On the other hand, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said on the same topic that Latvia will support Ukraine in achieving its goals, but will also consult on further actions regarding Ukrainian men of conscription age who are on the territory of Latvia.

Meanwhile, Lithuania, following the example of Poland, is ready to help Ukraine to bring back to the country men subject to mobilization. Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurins Kaščuns said on Friday that support should be given to Ukraine, which lacks combat-capable soldiers in the war against Russia. The minister rejected the possibility that Lithuania could detain and deport Ukrainian men, but other measures are possible to force them to return to their homeland.

“What these measures will be, it is difficult for me to say now, but it is possible that they will have to be specifically stated. Of course, no one will collect them in Poland and take them to Ukraine. This will definitely not happen. But they can be deprived of certain social benefits, work permits, evaluated their documents – those are the possibilities I hear from the Polish side. Let’s wait a bit, maybe they will offer an option that will also be suitable for Lithuania,” Kaščuns said.

The official also added that Lithuania has not yet received an official request to help in this matter from Ukraine.