In Riga, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov met with President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, and Minister of Defense Raivis Melnis.
During his meeting with the President, Kyrylo Budanov thanked him for Latvia’s continued and consistent support for Ukraine. They discussed the security situation in our country and the region as a whole, Latvian-Ukrainian defense cooperation, and Latvia’s support for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union. They also discussed diplomatic efforts to achieve peace.
“Latvia will continue to resolutely support Ukraine, both politically and in practical terms,” Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasized.
Kyrylo Budanov and Andris Kulbergs discussed economic and defense cooperation between Ukraine and Latvia. In particular, they discussed expanding the partnership between the two countries’ defense industries and the importance of accelerating the delivery of energy equipment ahead of winter.
Kyrylo Budanov said it was symbolic that the meeting took place at a car museum founded by Andris Kulbergs’s father. Its collection includes cars that belonged to Stalin and Khrushchev, as well as Brezhnev’s wrecked Rolls-Royce.
“The old general secretary simply lost control of the car, and the Soviet system never managed to repair it because of its technological backwardness and lack of resources. Any empire built on illusions and aggression ends up the same way: wrecked, with no spare parts and no future. We keep working,” the Head of the Office of the President noted.
The meeting with Raivis Melnis focused on the security situation, continued defense assistance, and deepening cooperation in the defense industry.
“Latvia remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, providing domestically produced defense equipment, while Ukraine’s combat experience contributes significantly to strengthening Latvia’s National Armed Forces,” the Latvian Minister of Defense emphasized.