Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Thursday announced a military package for Ukraine that includes a large assortment of weapons for the country to use in its defense against invading Russian forces.
During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Riga, Latvia, Rinkevics said his country would provide Kyiv with a new aid package that includes howitzers, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, rockets, grenades, helicopters, drones, communication devices, generators and other unnamed equipment.
Latvia, a member of NATO since 2004, has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters in the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022. The nation committed over 1 percent of its gross domestic product to military assistance for Ukraine and has a training program for Ukrainian military personnel.
On Thursday, Rinkēvičs reaffirmed his country's support for Kyiv in its efforts to defend itself.
"It's time to change the emphasis. We have been talking about our support for Ukraine for as long as it takes. But the main political signal should state that we support and will continue to support Ukraine until its ultimate victory over Russian imperialism," Rinkēvičs said, according to a translation of the press conference posted on the website for Zelensky's office.
Zelensky said during the media session that representatives from the defense sectors of Ukraine and Latvia are signing new cooperation agreements, which he said will help Ukraine partner with European countries to develop an international arsenal to thwart future aggression from Russia.
"We in Europe—from west to east, from north to south—need much more productive work from the defense sectors of our states. Europe must learn to be self-sufficient in its defense," Zelensky said.
He added: "Russia understands strength only. And we all need that kind of strength in Europe."
Newsweek reached out to Zelensky's office via email on Thursday night for further comment.
Elsewhere in the press conference, the two leaders discussed how Latvia initiated the creation of a coalition of drones for Ukraine as well as continuing efforts to apply pressure on those who help Russia circumvent sanctions.
In addition to his visit to Riga, Zelensky stopped over in Lithuania and Estonia in recent days. The tour has proved beneficial for Kyiv, as Lithuania pledged to give nearly $220 million to Ukraine in the next three years while Estonia committed $1.3 billion in assistance until 2027.
Zelensky also thanked Latvia for the new supply of weapons in a message posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"I am grateful to Latvia for the latest military aid package for Ukraine and a clear understanding that the strength of Ukrainian warriors, positions, and future is the strength that secures Latvia's independence as well," Zelensky said.
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Jon Jackson is an Associate Editor at Newsweek based in New York. His focus is on reporting on the Ukraine ... Read more
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