Good evening, dear friends!
Good evening to all who have helped, are helping, and will continue to help Ukraine!
Good evening, our Ukrainian friends!
Four years ago, on this very day, each of us – both in Ukraine and in Latvia – faced a moment of choice. Everyone surely remembers that day differently. In Ukraine, people decided to fight for their freedom, for their country, for their independence. In Latvia, people decided to help – to help Ukraine in whatever way they could.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone, to all entrepreneurs, to “Entrepreneurs for Peace”, and to all those who, from the very first day, have tirelessly sought and found ways to support Ukrainians in their just struggle, to help Latvia itself. Because in helping Ukraine, we are fully aware that we are also helping ourselves. I wish to extend my deep gratitude to donors, organisers, entrepreneurs, and to everyone who has stood with Ukraine in thought and in action, and to all those who, despite the long four years that have passed, continue to seek new opportunities, new ideas and new forms of support.
One can never truly come to terms with war, one can never grow accustomed to it, one can never adapt to it. Nor must we come to terms with it, adapt to it, or become used to it. Yet what is crucial is that even in those moments when our spirits are low, we pull ourselves together, we find strength within, because we understand full well that there, in not so distant Ukraine, soldiers are still fighting, civilians are losing their lives, and in this bitter winter it is neither warm nor comfortable in many places, quite the opposite. Therefore, although this evening, and this whole day, as we gathered here in Riga, across Latvia and also in Ukraine, to remember the beginning of the war, to honour our heroes, to honour our Ukrainian heroes, and to commemorate our Latvian volunteers, let this day once again serve as an additional source of motivation and encouragement for us to continue helping.
We are entering the fifth year of the war. We do not know when it will end, but we do know that while Russia is currently losing militarily, it seeks to gain diplomatically. For Ukraine to prevail, it still needs our support and assistance. And I am absolutely convinced that we will continue to support our Ukrainian friends.
Glory to Ukraine!
Long live Latvia!
And I am truly convinced that together we will win!
