Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa met with Ukrainian soldiers on Friday, February 13, during the Munich Security Conference, reaffirming Latvia’s support for Ukraine as the conflict with Russia continues to reshape the European security landscape. The meeting underscores the growing international focus on bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities and addressing the human cost of the war.
The soldiers Siliņa met with included drone operators, commanders, medics, and those who had been captured and returned to service. During the discussion, Siliņa and the Ukrainian defenders spoke about Latvia’s assistance to Ukraine, the importance of technology in the war, and the consequences of decisions made both on the front lines and in government offices far from the fighting. “We also discussed how inhumane and detached from reality the decision of the International Olympic Committee to disqualify a Ukrainian skeleton athlete is,” Siliņa stated.
Siliņa assured the Ukrainian soldiers that Latvia stands with Ukraine. The soldiers expressed their gratitude to Latvia for its support and presented Siliņa with a signed Ukrainian flag.
On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Siliņa also met with Annette Kroeber-Riel, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Europe at the technology company Google.
Siliņa emphasized that the development of artificial intelligence will determine future competitiveness, noting that Latvia is a digitally developed country with a large number of services available online.
The Prime Minister highlighted Latvia’s established AI center and invited Google to collaborate. Google’s leadership positively acknowledged Latvia’s programs for technological education for women.
Siliņa is on a working visit to Munich, Germany, on February 13 and 14, participating in the annual Munich Security Conference and holding bilateral meetings with officials and representatives of international companies.
