Foreign Minister @edgarsrinkevics in the meeting of 🇪🇺 #FAC in #Brussels: “As the result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of #Ukraine, current foundation of relationship between the European Union and Russia has been destroyed.”
— Latvian MFA 🇱🇻 | #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 (@Latvian_MFA) November 14, 2022
➡️ https://t.co/4YLg7KfyFo pic.twitter.com/D09N9WVSjN
Rinkēvičs called on EU Member states to provide all possible military, humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine and to roll out a global coordination platform.
"As a result of Russia's full-scale invasion, the current foundation of the relationship between the European Union and Russia has been destroyed. It will not be possible to return to 'business as usual', therefore the European Union must change the paradigm in its relations with Russia. Deterrence, strategic independence from Russia and strengthening of resilience should be the basis of European Union policy. The resilience of Russia's neighboring countries must be strengthened," said Rinkēvičs.
Edgars Rinkēvičs stated a position that the EU should continue a political, economic and diplomatic pressure on Russia, including the reinforcement of restrictive measures and the adoption of the ninth round of sanctions. As the result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, current foundation of relationship between the European Union and Russia has been destroyed, the Minister said.
Rinkēvičs also discussed matters with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.
I spoke to @EdgarsRinkevics. The liberation of Kherson keeps inspiring our partners. We discussed next EU sanctions. We share a view that any lifting of the already imposed ones would set a dangerous precedent. We keep working together to ensure functioning of the grain corridor.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) November 14, 2022
The Council also exchanged views on Western Balkans, especially the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit due to take place on 6 December in Tirana, Albania.
The Latvian Foreign Minister emphasised that Russia’s war against Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerability of the Western Balkans region and refocused on the geopolitical and strategic importance of the EU enlargement process. All the countries in the region are expected to act in line with EU values if they are to habor aspirations of EU membership, he said.
