Yesterday, the Permanent Representative met with the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia – Political Director Ivars Lasis.

Tamila Tasheva expressed her gratitude for Latvia’s support of Ukraine in various areas, as well as for its efforts in organizing the Third Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform, which will be held this week in Riga.

During the working meeting, the parties addressed the issue of crimes committed by the occupiers in Crimea, including the militarization of the peninsula, the displacement of independent media from the occupied territories, and the pressure on all those who hold a pro-Ukrainian stance. The Permanent Representative emphasized that the de-occupation of the Crimean Peninsula is crucial for the protection of the rights of Ukraine’s Indigenous Peoples and the restoration of justice. She also stressed the importance of support from Ukraine’s Western partners, as only through joint efforts can we achieve a just peace and restore international security.

In addition, they discussed the destructive impact of Russian propaganda narratives, Latvia’s experience of Soviet occupation, and the country’s efforts to counter its consequences. In the context of the importance of countering Russian propaganda, Tamila Tasheva noted that it is important to research and understand the true history of the Crimean Peninsula.

“That is why the international project – the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies – was launched, which will lead to the establishment of new centers for the study of Ukraine, particularly Crimea, around the world,” the Permanent Representative noted.