Stefanchuk, Smiltēns hold meeting in Riga before NATO Summit

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk has arrived in Latvia to reach an international consensus on Ukraine’s accession to NATO on the eve of the Alliance’s Summit in Vilnius.

The relevant statement was made by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Latvia. On a working visit to Riga these days. I am glad to meet with Ukraine’s loyal friend, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Edvards Smiltēns,” Stefanchuk wrote.

In his words, there is no such area in which Latvia would not help Ukraine. Everything that Ukraine needs, Latvia does, and does it quickly and efficiently. Stefanchuk thanked Latvia for providing assistance to Ukraine.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada mentioned that Latvia had already sent EUR 388 million worth of weapons, ammunition and military goods to Ukraine, which is 1.3% of the country’s GDP.

“The main goal of the meeting is to reach an international consensus on Ukraine’s path to NATO on the eve of the Alliance’s Summit in Vilnius,” Stefanchuk noted.

He expressed hope that historic decisions would soon be made in Lithuania, both for Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic community.

In addition, the parties discussed Ukraine’s defense needs.

“This support is crucial for achieving victory today,” Stefanchuk stressed.

A reminder that the NATO Summit will take place in Vilnius on July 11-12, 2023.

Photo: Ruslan Stefanchuk, Facebook