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From 24 to 25 August 2026, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dace Melbārde, was on a working visit to New York, US, where she participated in high-level meetings of the UN Security Council during the Danish presidency on the situations in Ukraine and Sudan, as well as on conflict-induced food crises. During the visit, Dace Melbārde met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen, as well as several permanent representatives of UN Security Council members and other UN member states.
Latvia at the UN Security Council: Russia will not stop until it is stopped
On 24 August, Ukraine’s Independence Day, Dace Melbārde delivered Latvia’s national statement at a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine, reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
“This is the fifth Independence Day in a row which Ukraine is forced to celebrate while defending itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion – defending its land, freedom and right to determine its own future. Instead of choosing peace, Russia continues to escalate the war and deliberately targets Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure,” the Parliamentary Secretary emphasised.
Dace Melbārde called on all peace-supporting countries to increase pressure on Russia, including by imposing sanctions on Russia’s missile production ecosystem. She also emphasised the need to hold accountable those responsible for Russia’s crime of aggression and called on countries to support international accountability mechanisms, including a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
“Russia will not stop until it is stopped. It is time to secure an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” Dace Melbārde said.
In conclusion, the Parliamentary Secretary quoted Gunārs Astra, a Latvian freedom fighter and political prisoner under the Soviet regime, recalling his confidence that the era of oppression would one day end “like a terrible nightmare”. Dace Melbārde expressed her conviction that this nightmare of war will also end for the Ukrainian people and that Ukraine will prevail.
A recording of the meeting is available on the UN Web TV site.
Similarly, to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day, Latvia, together with 50 UN member states and the EU delegation to the UN, participated in a press statement organised by Denmark prior to the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine, calling on Russia to comply with calls for a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and to resume negotiations on a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. Available: Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Denmark/ Security Council President) and others on Ukraine - Joint Security Council Media Stakeout | UN Audiovisual Library.
There is no military solution in Sudan – a ceasefire, a political process and accountability are needed
At a UN Security Council meeting on Sudan, Dace Melbārde emphasised that civilians are bearing the brunt of the prolonged war. Latvia calls on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to immediately cease hostilities and strictly adhere to international humanitarian law.
“There is no military solution to the war in Sudan. Military confrontation must give way to diplomacy. Countries and other international actors with influence over the warring parties must use that influence to facilitate negotiations, not to prolong the conflict,” the Parliamentary Secretary stated.
Latvia expressed strong support for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, and for international initiatives aimed at achieving a humanitarian ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire and a credible political process.
Dace Melbārde placed particular emphasis on the protection of civilians. Attacks on schools, hospitals, electricity and water-supply infrastructure, as well as sexual and gender-based violence, must not go unpunished.
“Diplomacy must go hand in hand with accountability. Violations must not go unpunished. Together, we must call for a ceasefire, support a credible and inclusive political process and protect civilians,” Dace Melbārde emphasised.
A recording of the meeting is available on the UN Web TV site.
Food must not be used as a weapon of war
Dace Melbārde also participated in the high-level open debate of the UN Security Council, titled “Food Under Fire: The Security Council’s Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises”.
The Parliamentary Secretary drew attention to the devastating impact of conflicts on food security, pointing out that hundreds of millions of people worldwide still suffer from hunger and that several countries and territories remain at risk of famine.
“Food must never be used as a weapon of war. The deliberate destruction of farmland and infrastructure essential to the survival of civilians must not become an accepted part of warfare,” Dace Melbārde stated.
She particularly highlighted the impact of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine on global food security. Ukraine has long been one of the major food suppliers to the global market and continues to supply food to crisis-affected regions even amid the war. At the same time, Russia continues to attack Ukrainian ports, grain crops, humanitarian infrastructure and civilian ships, jeopardising food supplies to the world’s most vulnerable populations.
“People at risk of starvation must not become hostages to Russia’s aggression. The international community must take a firm stand against attacks on food production, supply routes and humanitarian aid,” the Parliamentary Secretary emphasised.
Latvia calls for the effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2417 on the link between conflict and food security, in order to strengthen early warning mechanisms, ensure full, rapid, safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, and hold accountable those who deliberately use starvation as a method of warfare or obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“If we have the means to prevent conflict-induced famine, inaction is a choice. The UN Security Council must shift from responding to famine to preventing it,” Dace Melbārde said.
A recording of the meeting is available on the UN Web TV site.
During her working visit, Dace Melbārde met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, reaffirming Latvia’s firm commitment to upholding international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. In a conversation with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the Parliamentary Secretary emphasised the shared position of Latvia and Denmark in supporting Ukraine, as well as the need to increase international pressure on Russia and ensure accountability for crimes of aggression. During the meeting with the US President Donald Trump’s Senior Advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs, Massad Boulos, the main focus was on the war in Sudan. Dace Melbārde expressed Latvia’s strong support for the US-led mediation efforts. Latvia believes that there is no military solution to the war in Sudan – diplomacy is needed, complemented by effective accountability mechanisms. During a meeting with the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, Dace Melbārde congratulated the Ukrainian people on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence and reaffirmed Latvia’s unwavering support for Ukraine.