On 31 January, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Mrs Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, at the Riga Castle. During the meeting, the President of Latvia confirmed Latvia's support to Ukraine and its people until its victory, as well as Latvia's readiness to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia.
President Rinkēvičs has condemned Russia's deliberate deportations of Ukrainian children and stressed Latvia's readiness to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia. "The war tactics used by Russia to forcibly assimilate Ukrainian children are deplorable and aimed at inciting psychological terror. The forced deportation of children, change of citizenship, illegal adoption and military training are actions that constitute war crimes. Latvia will continue to advance the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia. This will be achieved by participating in the International Coalition of Countries for the Return of Ukrainian Children established by Ukraine and by keeping the issue high on the agenda of international organisations," emphasised E. Rinkēvičs.
The President of Latvia expressed Latvia's readiness to continue providing long-term support to Ukraine and its people until its victory. E. Rinkēvičs reiterated that Latvia will continue to provide support to Ukrainian refugees, including over 4,000 children who have found safe haven in Latvia.
Following the meeting, the President of Latvia and the First Lady of Ukraine took a brief tour of the Riga Castle. A Ukrainian-language audio guide of the tour was presented to the Ukrainian delegation. O. Zelenska is a strong proponent of making information available in Ukrainian at cultural and historical sites worldwide.
