Kyiv received a high-level Latvian parliamentary delegation Thursday, as Speaker of the Saeima Daiga mieriņa presented Certificates of Recognition too ten Ukrainian lawmakers and staff in a show of continued support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia[[1]].The awards acknowledge key contributions to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly as Ukraine continues its path toward European Union integration with assistance from Latvian expertise [[2]]. This year’s visit builds on a tradition of annual January delegations demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine as the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 [[3]].
Latvia’s parliamentary speaker presented awards to ten Ukrainian lawmakers and staff in Kyiv on Thursday, January 15, recognizing their contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The gesture underscores Latvia’s continued support for Ukraine as the conflict with Russia enters its third year.
Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, presented the Presidium’s Certificates of Recognition to the recipients, with a special award going to Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (Supreme Council), for his leadership and significant role in bolstering ties, particularly in parliamentary cooperation.
“Even in wartime conditions, he has managed to maintain the high level of work within the Ukrainian parliament, while simultaneously developing parliamentary cooperation between Latvia and Ukraine,” Mieriņa said. “Mr. Stefanchuk has visited Latvia several times and regularly hosted Latvian parliamentary speakers and deputies. I will always remember his quote from many meetings with Latvian officials: ‘You may not be a large country, but you are a powerful nation,’ publicly acknowledging Latvia’s strong support for Ukraine’s fight against the aggressor.”
Certificates of Recognition were also awarded to First Vice Speakers Oleksandr Kornienko and Olena Kondratiuk.
Kornienko oversees internal reforms and the European Union integration process within the parliament. Two training sessions for Verkhovna Rada staff, organized by the Saeima, have already taken place in the area of EU integration, a process Ukraine highly values as it pursues its own path toward EU membership. Latvia’s best practices in EU integration are considered particularly valuable to Ukraine’s accession process.
Kondratiuk has maintained strong and friendly relations with Latvia and its deputies, consistently finding opportunities to meet with Latvian delegations visiting Ukraine. Her focus on strengthening bilateral ties centers on security and defense, Ukraine’s EU integration, and the rehabilitation of those affected by the war, especially soldiers and children.
Recognition was also given to Oleksandr Merezhko, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations, and Yegor Cherniev, Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Tarass Tarasenko, Head of the Verkhovna Rada Deputy Group for Friendship with the Latvian Saeima, Solomiia Bobrovska, Co-Chair of the group, and Maksym Diridin, a member of the group, also received the awards.
Certificates of Recognition were also presented to Vyacheslav Stuchniy, Secretary General of the Verkhovna Rada, and Markiyan Lubkivskyi, Deputy Secretary General and diplomat.
The Latvian delegation, led by Speaker Mieriņa, traveled to Ukraine to reaffirm unwavering support for the war-torn nation. Accompanying Mieriņa were Saeima Vice-Speaker Antoņina Ņenaševa, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Ināra Mūrniece, Chair of the Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee Raimonds Bergmanis, Head of the Cooperation Group with the Ukrainian Parliament Jānis Skrastiņš, and group member Linda Liepiņa.
The Saeima delegation is meeting with Ukraine’s top officials to express their support and solidarity.
Visits to Ukraine in January, during the coldest and darkest time of year, have become a tradition, demonstrating consistent support for the country amid the ongoing conflict. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the Saeima delegation has visited Ukraine annually in January since then.
Latvia firmly supports Ukraine and advocates for broad international assistance in its fight against aggression. Since the first day of the war, Latvia has provided comprehensive assistance to Ukraine. The Saeima has also directed funds raised through its annual Christmas charity campaign to support children in Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
