When Kalniete stood up to speak on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine on Wednesday and demand tougher action against Russia from the European Union, she did so in a T-shirt in the Ukrainian colors of yellow and blue and emblazoned with the country's national symbol and name.
“I'm really surprised it's been so popular because this is actually the third time I have worn the T-shirt when speaking about Ukraine in debates,” Kalniete told LSM.
“The European Parliament is taking Ukraine seriously but different states' individual interests are not allowing us to come to a united decision,” she said.
In her speech she demanded immediate and far-reaching EU sanctions be introduced to counter the Krelmin's “revanchist” tendencies.
"At the moment our inability to make a concerted effort benefits only Putin, while Europe actually loses... Ukraine has every right to be part of Europe,” Kalniete told her colleagues.
The speech was quickly picked up by Ukrainian media, sparking thousands of responses - 10,000 and rising by lunchtime Thursday - and even the birth of a Twitter hashtag #ThankYouSandra.
