Ukraine and Latvia plan to launch joint drone production in the near future
04.04.2024
The Government of Latvia is ready to continue to find ways to support Ukraine, in particular at the level of 0.25% of GDP annually. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during a joint press conference with Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa.
“Today we held fruitful and constructive talks on a wide range of issues. In particular, on military and technical assistance. Its volume has already exceeded 1% of Latvia’s GDP, and this is an extraordinary manifestation of friendship and solidarity,” the Head of Ukrainian Government stressed.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine said that during the meeting the two sides discussed how to give a new impetus to the joint production of 155 mm shells in Latvia, and praised Latvia’s decision to join the Czech initiative of 800,000 artillery rounds for Ukraine.
“I would also like to thank Latvia for its effective leadership in the Drone Coalition. We expect to start joint production of drones for the needs of the Ukrainian Defence Forces in the near future,” said Denys Shmyhal.
According to the Head of Ukrainian Government, an agreement was reached that this year more Ukrainian soldiers will be able to receive medical treatment in Latvia.
In addition, the parties discussed in detail the strengthening of sanctions pressure on russia. Denys Shmyhal welcomed Latvia’s decision to ban imports of grain and other agricultural products from russia and belarus.
“Equally important for us is the punishment of russia for its crimes and a just peace. It was Latvia that strongly promoted the idea of russia’s full responsibility for the damage and destruction caused to Ukraine. Together we developed the so-called ‘Riga Principles’, which form the basis of the International Register of Damage,” the Prime Minister of Ukraine said.
Denys Shmyhal thanked Latvia for its active support of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula and participation in the coalition to establish a Special Tribunal for the top political leadership of russia.
The two Prime Ministers also touched upon the confiscation of the aggressor country’s assets and their further use for the needs of Ukraine’s reconstruction. In particular, Denys Shmyhal thanked the Government of Latvia for its decision to sell the previously nationalised so-called “moscow house”. The proceeds from the auction will be used to support Ukraine.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine stressed that Latvia was one of the strongest advocates of Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO.
“We are also grateful to Latvia for its support in rebuilding Ukraine. Latvia has taken patronage of Chernihiv region in Ukraine, which was heavily affected by the russian occupation. This includes the installation of modular houses, the reconstruction of kindergartens, schools and hospitals,” said Denys Shmyhal, adding that last year Latvia spent EUR 5 million on the restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine thanked the Latvian partners for joining the Coalition for the return of Ukrainian children abducted by russia and holding a conference on this issue in Riga.
Following the meeting, the heads of government of Ukraine and Latvia issued a joint statement.
