Condemning in the strongest possible terms Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, which undermines the foundations of the international rules-based order,
Referring to the European Union and NATO’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders extending to its territorial waters, as well as fully supporting Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence and to choose its own security arrangements,
Noting Ukraine’s significant contribution to the security of Euro-Atlantic area and beyond, in particular through standing up to Russia's military aggression,
Having regard to the Constitution of Ukraine which defines acquiring full-fledged membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a strategic course of the state,
Noting the support by overwhelming majority of Ukrainian population for integration of Ukraine into the EU and NATO,
Welcoming the Joint Statements of Presidents of nine Central and Eastern European NATO Member States as of 2 October 2022 and 22 February 2023, highlight the support to Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and encourage Allies to substantially increase military aid to Ukraine,
Commending the development of extensive bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia, and considerable potential for further cooperation in all spheres of joint interest,
President of Ukraine and President of the Republic of Latvia
· Reaffirm their support for the principles of international law, the inviolability of borders, and the right for each state to choose its own path and security arrangements;
· Reiterate their demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders;
· Appreciate the continued support by Latvia, comprising the efforts by the Government, municipalities, civil society and NGOs, to help Ukraine withstand the Russian aggression and to assist with the reconstruction and fast recovery, notably, in the Chernihiv area;
· Note the readiness to remain fully committed to the policy of non-recognition of illegal annexation of Ukraine’s territories by Russia;
· Recognize the importance of cooperating at the UN General Assembly and other UN bodies, in view of the extensive work done at the level of the UN in addressing the Russian aggression against Ukraine;
· Deplore the dire human rights and humanitarian consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, including the continuous attacks against critical infrastructure across Ukraine with devastating consequences for civilians, and express grave concern at the high number of civilian casualties, including women and children, the number of internally displaced persons and refugees in need of humanitarian assistance, and violations and abuses committed against children;
· Underline their firm commitment to bring to justice those responsible of war crimes and other serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and to support the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression;
· Emphasise the need to establish a legal basis for the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and for the purposes of reparation;
· Underline Ukraine’s sovereign decision on the peace process and highlight their support to a Global Peace Summit to be convened when conditions allow. Latvia expresses its appreciation for Ukraine’s Peace Formula presented by President Zelenskyy at the G20 Bali Leaders’ Summit on 15 November 2022;
· Emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s consistent efforts of continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program, aimed at enhancing the global food security;
· Welcome the historic decision of the leaders of the European Union states, adopted on 23 June 2022, granting to Ukraine EU candidate country status. Ukraine highly appreciates Latvia’s strong support towards the full-fledged membership of Ukraine in the EU and to this end is committed to swift implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission, in order to begin accession negotiations without delay;
· Confirm their commitment to strengthen joint efforts to ensure further progress towards the implementation of EU and NATO standards and the integration of Ukraine with the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance;
· Declare the following:
- The Republic of Latvia will continue to promote the EU and Allies’ strong and effective political and material support for Ukraine aimed at ensuring the ability of the Ukrainian state to effectively defend its territories on land, at sea and in the air;
- Ukraine highly appreciates all assistance provided by the Republic of Latvia in order to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities. The government and non-governmental sector of Latvia will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes and will continue to provide strong military, technical, defence, and humanitarian support to Ukraine;
- The Republic of Latvia supports Ukraine to become part of the North Atlantic Alliance as soon as conditions allow;
- Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia express readiness to hold bilateral consultations on addressing Ukraine’s security concerns prior to NATO membership;
· Following the 2022 Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Summit and Business Forum in Riga, Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia emphasize the importance of multi-layer involvement of Ukraine as a partner in 3SI activities. The Republic of Latvia, as a 3SI Participating State will promote Ukraine’s involvement in different projects in order to facilitate the post-war recovery, particularly, in the areas of energy infrastructure, transport and digitalisation;
· Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia commit to coordinate closely on these matters by intensifying bilateral consultations.
Signed in duplicate in Lviv on 3 March 2023 in English.
For Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
For the Republic of Latvia President Egils Levits