On 29 January 2026, during discussions on further support for Ukraine at the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Ambassador of Latvia to the EU Lelde Līce-Līcīte emphasised: “The fourth anniversary of Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine is approaching. Russia is not ready for compromise and meaningful engagement in peace talks, and its recent barbaric attacks on Ukrainian residential buildings and energy infrastructure during winter, when the air temperature is below zero, are a stark reminder of this. The EU must continue to implement its strategy of “peace through strength”, increase financial and military support to Ukraine, maintain pressure on Russia, including through a strong 20th round of sanctions, and strengthen our own security. We must continue to work with international partners to provide support to Ukraine in protecting and restoring its energy infrastructure. To support the urgent needs of Ukraine’s energy sector and strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience, Latvia has sent transformer oil, diesel generators, and vehicles to Ukraine,” said the Ambassador.
Latvia supported the political decision adopted by the Council in its discussion on the Middle East to include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the EU list of terrorist organisations. Work on the legal preparation of the proposal will continue.
Regarding future military support and security guarantees for Ukraine, Lelde Līce-Līcīte pointed out that timely and predictable military support must be provided to Ukraine to repel Russia’s brutal aggression. “It is very important that we have agreed on a joint EU loan of EUR 90 billion to Ukraine. Until peace is achieved and even after that, work on implementing security guarantees for Ukraine will be critically important,” emphasised the Ambassador. Latvia is also ready to provide support in strengthening Ukraine’s security after the war. In 2025, Latvia provided Ukraine with military support worth EUR 123.88 million, which is 0.3% of Latvia’s GDP. Latvia’s military support includes the supply of armaments, training of Ukrainian soldiers, contributions to the Drone Coalition, financial investment in Ukraine’s military industry for the production of drones, contributions to NATO’s PURL (Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List) initiative, as well as participation in the NATO project Renovator for the renovation of Ukrainian military hospitals. Latvia’s contribution to defence this year will reach 5% of GDP. Lelde Līce-Līcīte pointed out that Ukraine’s accession to the EU is an essential part of the EU’s security guarantees to Ukraine. It is important to move forward on this issue.
The EU plays a significant role in the policy of tightening sanctions and pressure on Russia. Sanctions against Russia are the most important non-military deterrent, which has caused enormous damage to the Russian economy and reduced its ability to wage war. Lelde Līce-Līcīte expressed her satisfaction with the sanctions approved at the meeting against six subjects under the sanctions regime for Russia’s hybrid activities, targeting propagators of propaganda and disinformation. As regards the work on a strong 20th round of sanctions, Lelde Līce-Līcīte stressed the need to expand restrictions on Russia’s energy and financial sectors, as well as Russia’s “shadow fleet”. The EU should assess the possibility of imposing a complete ban on maritime services for ships transporting Russian oil and gas. The next round of sanctions should include additional trade restrictions, including strengthening existing restrictions on imports of potash fertilisers. The alignment of the Russian and Belarusian sanctions regimes should be continued in order to prevent circumvention of sanctions.
Lelde Līce Līcīte expressed Latvia’s support for Estonia’s call to implement a complete ban on entry into the Schengen area and refusal of residence permits to Russian citizens who have participated in the war of aggression against Ukraine.
The meeting was also attended remotely by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, who provided information on the current situation in Ukraine, in particular on the emergency situation in the energy sector.
Discussing the situation in the Middle East and the EU’s role in implementing the Gaza peace plan, EU Ministers agreed that there is much uncertainty about the legal and political solution. Therefore, US President Donald Trump’s proposal must be evaluated in depth. As a member of the UN Security Council, Latvia strongly advocates for an order based on international law and compliance with the principles of the UN Charter. Lelde Līce-Līcīte: “Latvia supports the continued involvement of the EU Police Mission for Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) and the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah) in the Middle East peace process, recognising their significant contribution to ensuring stability, the rule of law, and security.”
Ministers also discussed the current situation in Iran and approved several additions to the EU’s human rights sanctions regime against Iran, as well as to the sanctions regime on Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU discussed the security and humanitarian situation in the African Great Lakes region and the possible role of the EU in the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs also held talks with Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, including on human rights violations in Belarus. “Latvia expresses its support for the work of the High Commissioner and calls for a full range of issues to be addressed in contacts with Belarus, including Belarus’ support for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, and the instrumentalisation of migrants,” said Lelde Līce-Līcīte.