PM: Latvia sending its fleet of helicopters to Ukraine

21.06.2023 16:07

Ukrinform

Latvia has already provided Ukraine with military aid alone amounting to more than 1% of its GDP, including the transfer of all available Stinger MANPADS, and is going to complete the transfer of all its helicopters.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, this was announced by Prime Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

At the beginning of his speech, he pointed out that Latvia never had any illusions about Russia, and therefore, against the background of Russia's build-up of troops near the Ukrainian border, in November-December 2021, a decision was made to send Stinger MANPADS to Ukraine. After receiving U.S. approval for the supply of these American weapons, the Stingers "arrived in Ukraine just one day before the full-scale invasion, and thankfully they became part of the solution of keeping the Russians from taking the airport which was part of their initial plan."

"Since that time, our government has spent over 1.3% of our GDP on all kinds of aid to Ukraine, over 1% is military [aid] alone. So all our Stinger missiles are now in Ukraine. We had a fleet of helicopters, all of those helicopters – the last ones are still being repainted so that they are usable and look good – are going to Ukraine," Kariņš said.

In addition, Latvia continues to train Ukrainian soldiers and provide ammunition and drones.

In addition, both the government and civil society provide prompt and effective humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine.

"So as a nation, we understand the Ukrainians. Because what are they fighting for? They are fighting for many things, but you can boil it down to three values: freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. We all talk about these things all the time. We are all freedom fighters But, friends, Ukrainians are freedom fighters, and we are now freedom supporters," said the Prime Minister of Latvia.

He pointed out the need to increase support for Ukraine, as well as to fully integrate Ukraine into the EU and NATO.

Kariņš added that all frozen Russian assets must be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine, and he also emphasized the need to hold the Russian leadership accountable for all crimes committed.

"So, united we will stand. We will stand with and behind Ukraine. And in the end, we will prevail. Slava Ukraini!" the Head of Government of Latvia concluded his speech.

As reported, Ukraine Recovery Conference is taking place in London on June 21-22. The event is a continuation of the annual Ukraine reform conferences which have been held since 2017.