On 28 May, as part of his working visit to the Republic of Latvia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko took part in a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument in Riga together with representatives of Latvian charitable, volunteer, and civic organisations, including “Ziedot.lv”, “Brunotava.lv”, “Agendum”, “Tavi draugi”, the Ukrainian Trade House in Latvia, the Ukrainian-Latvian Friendship Society, and “Sich”, which since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression have been providing assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and frontline regions of Ukraine.

Member of the European Parliament from Latvia and founder of the “TwitterConvoy” initiative Reinis Pozņaks also joined the ceremony.

Olexandr Mischenko expressed sincere gratitude to Latvian volunteers and all citizens supporting Ukraine for their unwavering solidarity and assistance. The Deputy Minister stressed that the solidarity of Latvian society with the Ukrainian people is a powerful manifestation of the genuine friendship between the two nations, based on shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for international law.

Following the ceremony, participants laid flowers at the monument to Taras Shevchenko in Kronvalda Park together with representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora, Ukrainian public organisations in Latvia, parishioners of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church led by Father Roman Sapuzhak, as well as students and teachers of the Riga Secondary School headed by Director Lidiia Kravchenko.

During his meeting with members of the Ukrainian community, Olexandr Mischenko underscored the importance of unity among Ukrainians not only in Latvia but around the world, as well as the need to consolidate international support and continue joint efforts aimed at Ukraine’s victory and the restoration of a just peace.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the important role of the Ukrainian community in Latvia in strengthening friendly relations between the two countries and in conveying the truth about Russia’s war against Ukraine to Latvian society and the broader international community.