Saeima speaker Ināra Mūrniece (National Alliance) captured the prevailing mood, saying Thursday brings "a new era in Europe". "Ukraine has to be defended and helped," she said.
This morning begins as a new era in Europe. 🇺🇦Ukraine defends it’s sovereign right to choose the future together with democratic countries in NATO and leave the Russian sphere of influence. 🇺🇦#Ukraine has to be defended and helped.
— Ināra Mūrniece (@IMurniece) February 24, 2022
Her party colleague Rihards Kols confirmed that an emergency meeting of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, of which he is the chair, will take place Thursday morning.
Russia was not threatened by NATO or Ukraine. Its large-scale attack against Ukraine is a war of choice, an unprovoked act of aggression - a grave crime.
— Rihards Kols (@RihardsKols) February 24, 2022
We must ensure that the cost of this aggression is devastating and immediate. Russia must be isolated. We #StandWithUkraine.
President Egils Levits said:
I condemn the full-scale invasion that President Putin has launched on Ukraine. A firm reaction from the international community must follow. NATO will defend itself and its values. We #StandWithUkraine.
— Egils Levits (@valstsgriba) February 24, 2022
Prime Minister Krišjšnis Kariņs said Russia's actions were "totally unacceptable":
The Russian military aggression against Ukraine’s sovereignty, people and democracy is totally unacceptable. It is Putin’s responsibility to end it immediately. Latvia is closely working with the EU and NATO partners. We call for NATO Art4 consultations.
— Krišjānis Kariņš (@krisjaniskarins) February 24, 2022
Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, who is currently in Kyiv with his Baltic counterparts, paraphrased a famous line from U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt about the attack on Pearl Harbour.
February 24, 2022 a date that will live in infamy…
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) February 24, 2022
