16 March 2026 marks twelve years since the so-called referendums on the annexation of Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation were illegally held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. These illegitimate referendums sparked Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, aimed at undermining Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, which escalated into a full-scale war of aggression on 24 February 2022.
Latvia recognises neither these illegitimate actions nor their outcome and condemns in the strongest terms the lawless behaviour of Russia, which constitutes a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and poses a direct threat to international security and peace. Latvia also categorically condemns Russia’s unprovoked military aggression and the continuing violations of international law and human rights in Ukraine, including regular attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as the forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian civilians, including children, to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories, and the persecution and discrimination of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars.
Latvia will never recognise Russia’s attempts to legitimise the occupation or annexation of Ukrainian territories. Ukrainian territories that are temporarily occupied and illegally annexed by Russia, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, belong to the sovereign and territorially indivisible state of Ukraine.
As the aggressor state, Russia must compensate Ukraine for all the damage it has caused and bear full responsibility for its aggression and violations of international law.
Latvia unwaveringly supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and supports Ukraine and its allies in their efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace. Latvia continues to provide comprehensive and long-term military and non-military support to Ukraine.