On April 16, during her visit to Latvia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Baiba Braže.

The parties discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda, further development of the Ukraine–Latvia dialogue, as well as coordination of efforts within international organisations.

Mariana Betsa expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Latvia for their comprehensive support for Ukraine amid the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation, in particular for Latvia’s significant contribution to supporting Ukraine’s energy sector and implementing humanitarian initiatives. She also noted Latvia’s consistent support for Ukraine’s path towards membership in the EU and NATO.

For her part, Baiba Braže reaffirmed Latvia’s continued support for Ukraine and confirmed readiness to further contribute to increasing international pressure on the aggressor state. She also stressed the importance of continued coordination within international organisations in order to ensure the Russian Federation’s accountability for crimes committed and to restore a just peace.

The parties condemned Russia’s latest terrorist attacks against Ukrainian cities on April 15–16, which resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Ukrainian civilians, including a child. Mariana Betsa stressed that the response to this and other crimes committed by the Russian Federation should become the central subject of discussion during a separate meeting of the UN Security Council to be convened on April 20 at the request of Ukraine. In this regard, Ukraine counts on Latvia’s active participation and leadership as a member of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term.

The participants of the meeting also separately discussed joint efforts aimed at preventing Russia’s participation in international sporting and cultural events, including in the context of the Venice Biennale.