Madara Siliņa

Personal account.

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

Latvia 🇱🇻 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, with Ukraine 🇺🇦 as co-sponsor, convened an Arria-Formula meeting “Implementing international humanitarian law: prisoners of war, civilian detainees and foreign fighters, in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine”

THANK YOU TO ALL OUTSTANDING BRIEFERS! 🙏

💙 Ms Claudia Fuentes Julio, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights @UN @Cfuentesjulio @UNHumanRights
💛 Ms Leniie Umerova, released civilian detainee, a Crimean Tatar activist
💙 Mr Khuan Alberto Leyva Garsiya, released PoW
💛 Mr Oleg Gushchyn, legal expert of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the PoW of 🇺🇦
💙 Ms Sheida Kiran, documentary filmmaker, producer of BBC Eye investigations film “Putin’s Foreign Fighters: Into the Void” (2026) @BBCNawal @bbcworldservice @BBC @UNHumanRightsUA @Latvian_MFA @MFA_Ukraine @ukraine_ua @LV_Ukraine @sanitadeslandes @andrii_sybiha @madarrra

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

Latvia 🇱🇻 and the UK 🇬🇧, with Ukraine 🇺🇦 as co-sponsor, will convene an Arria-Formula meeting on the treatment of POWs, civilian detainees and foreign fighters in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.
📌 Monday, 10 August
⏰ 10:00 a.m.
📲 LIVE on @UNWebTV: https://t.co/Y4VqzvcgBu

❗️An outstanding panel of briefers, including @UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Claudia Fuentes Julio. ❗️Hear powerful testimonies from two survivors of Russian captivity, as well as Sheida Kiran, a member of the production team behind the @bbcworldservice Eye documentary “Putin's Foreign Fighters” https://t.co/BhIt2oIdmc @BBCNawal @BBC @UNHumanRightsNY

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

⚫️ Russia is intensifying its deliberate campaign against civilians. Since 2022 in Ukraine:
⚫️ 66 000 civilians have been killed or injured.
⚫️ 3 million households affected by damaged or destroyed housing.
⚫️ On 19 July, Kyiv endured one of the largest missile attacks of the full-scale invasion. Guided aerial bombs also struck residential areas in Zaporizhzhia.
⚫️ On 24 July, a Russian KAB-250 guided aerial bomb destroyed Latvia's Honorary Consulate in Sloviansk.❗️
🇱🇻 Latvia thanks our partners for their solidarity.

Russia can destroy buildings, but it cannot break Ukraine's will for freedom, or Latvia's unwavering support for it. 🇺🇦🇱🇻

‼️ Russia's deliberate attacks undermine global food security: targeting @WFP warehouses and assets, civilian cargo ships and setting this year's crop harvest on fire.

🕊️ Ukraine has Latvia's full support in defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

Full 🇱🇻 statement: https://t.co/ovlqrBEKrr

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

⚫️ Russia’s deliberate attacks directly affect global food security.  
❗️Before Russia’s aggression, Ukraine was the breadbasket of the world.
‼️Even now, Ukraine remains a vital hub for the UN humanitarian food procurement for global crisis zones.
⚫️ (..) there have been increased reports of Russian drones deliberately dropping incendiary munitions on crop fields across 🇺🇦 to burn down this year’s harvest.⚫️

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

‼️ Russia is the sole obstacle to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire we are all calling for.

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

⚫️ In the first seven days of July, 93 Ukrainian civilians were killed and > 500 were injured. Latvia strongly condemns Russia’s deliberate and escalating attacks against Ukraine’s civilian population.

At the @UN Security Council emergency meeting on Ukraine, Latvia stressed:

‼️ Ukraine urgently needs additional air defence to protect its civilians. The Euro-Atlantic community remains strong and united in supporting Ukraine’s right to self-defence.

👎 Russia is attempting to escape its pariah status in international politics by portraying itself as a victim. The International Olympic Committee’s provisional decision to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee is unacceptable. @iocmedia

‼️ Russia has illegally and arbitrarily detained thousands of Ukrainian civilians. Latvia calls for their immediate release and underscores the importance of a comprehensive all-for-all detainee exchange.

❗️We call on every country to exert maximum pressure on Russia’s leadership - the only obstacle to an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire and meaningful negotiations.

Full 🇱🇻 statement: https://t.co/PpuNPl3oQs

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

🇱🇻🇺🇳 The Chief of State Police of Latvia, General Armands Ruks, addressed the Fifth @UN Chiefs of Police Summit, highlighting the increasingly volatile security environment caused by Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

🇱🇻 Latvia called for adapting UN policing to today’s security realities by ensuring police contingents have the necessary tools, capabilities, and skills to respond effectively, including to the growing challenge of disinformation.

@UNPOL @Valsts_policija

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

At #UNSC briefing on maintenance of peace and security, Latvia emphasised:

⚫️ Belarus remains Russia’s close ally, enabling its aggression by providing its territory and infrastructure for attacks against Ukraine for the 5th year.

⚫️ Numerous UN reports contain independently verified evidence documenting Russia’s grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law against Ukrainian civilians.

⚫️ Russia continues to deflect from its actions, deny access to independent investigators and rely on unverified claims and propaganda.

🇱🇻 Latvia calls on Russia to grant UN agencies and international monitors full, safe and unimpeded access to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and relevant sites within Russia.

🇱🇻 Latvia reiterates its call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire.

Full 🇱🇻 statement: https://t.co/4GWYlTYxqk

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

At the UNSC meeting on Russia's escalatory attacks against Ukrainian civilians, civilian infrastructure, culture, & religious heritage:

⛔️ Latvia condemns Russia's attempts to undermine the very foundations of Ukrainian identity & culture in a futile effort to subjugate Ukraine & impose a distorted interpretation of history.

⁉️ It is deeply cynical that Russia - a country that presents itself as a defender of Orthodox Christianity & traditional values - has bombed the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of the most iconic sites of Orthodox Christianity.

‼️ For centuries, Russia has sought to subordinate the Ukrainian Orthodox Church & has repeatedly failed. It will not succeed. Accountability and justice must prevail.
‼️The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage during armed conflict constitutes a war crime & may amount to crimes against humanity.

❌️ In the occupied territories of Ukraine, the systematic denial of fundamental freedoms & the scale of documented atrocities are textbook examples of conduct that may constitute genocide, war crimes, & crimes against humanity. Accountability must prevail over impunity.

‼️ Russia must grant immediate & unimpeded access to independent monitoring mechanisms & UN agencies, particularly the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (#OHCHR @UNHumanRights).

❗️Enough is enough. The time for a ceasefire is now.

All but one member of the Security Council have called for an immediate ceasefire. The international community has spoken with near unanimity. Russia must now act.❗️

Full 🇱🇻 statement https://t.co/EDsaFV8x6z

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THE TIME FOR THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW.

[🇪🇺EU at UN-NY @EUatUN]

Enough is enough. Time for a ceasefire now.

This week all UN Security Council members—except one—were united in calling for a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire. As did Ukraine.

Russia remains the only obstacle to peace. We urge it to abide by UNSC members' call. Now.

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

At the #UNSC briefing on Ukraine, Latvia underscored:

🇺🇦 No one wants peace more than Ukraine. In the last few days, the President of Ukraine has publicly & officially reiterated his call for a ceasefire & talks. ❗️His letter was derided & rejected by the President of Russia.

❗️This reconfirms publicly what we all already know. Russia is the sole obstacle to peace.❗️

🇱🇻 Latvia supports the principles & way forward charted by the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, & Germany on June 7.

Our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity & political independence remains ironclad.

❗️Russia started this war. Russia can end it – by stopping its attacks on civilians, withdrawing its forces, & leaving Ukraine’s sovereign territory.

❗️Enough is enough. The time for a ceasefire is now.

Full 🇱🇻 statement: https://t.co/ptpet9PqZU

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

Every time we deliver the same stark message: ❗️Russia, stop killing civilians and humanitarian workers! Stop your war of aggression❗️

⚫️ Russia continues to reject the reality of the war it started.
⚫️ It is increasingly resorting to illicit recruitment, manipulation, & coercion of individuals from Africa, the Americas, and Asia, as it struggles to sustain force levels & replace its losses.

Full 🇱🇻 statement: https://t.co/ptpet9PYPs

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

🇺🇦 Ukraine is growing stronger. And it has the innovation edge. Ukraine has become a security provider for Europe and for partners in the Gulf. Ukraine is succeeding in liberating territory.

When will Russia understand that its war of aggression is going nowhere?

Full 🇱🇻 statement: https://t.co/ptpet9PqZU

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

Today, the #UNSC meets at Romania’s 🇷🇴 request following the latest dangerous escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has crossed borders, violated European airspace, & resulted in injuries to civilians in a neighbouring country.

‼️ Russia bears full responsibility for the risks, consequences, & human suffering caused by its illegal war of aggression, including when its actions extend beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Russia’s escalatory rhetoric & actions only strengthen our resolve to continue supporting Ukraine. 🇺🇦 It is vital to increase pressure on Russia & those enabling its war of aggression. The path to peace begins with an immediate, full, & unconditional ceasefire.

⚫️ Russia, a permanent member of the @UN Security Council, continues to pose a grave threat to international peace and security, persistently undermining the sovereignty, territorial integrity, & security of neighbouring states.

🪦 The era of empires, colonies, & spheres of influence is over.

Full 🇱🇻 statement: https://t.co/NRIJsXeoJn

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

“Russia’s aggression was not provoked. Neither NATO, the EU, nor Ukraine has threatened Russia. This war of aggression is entirely of Russia’s choice. Russia bears full responsibility for the risks, consequences, & human suffering resulting from its illegal military actions, including any effects beyond Ukraine’s borders.”

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

“Together with our allies & partners, we will continue to strengthen European defence, deterrence, & resilience. We remain committed to ensuring that any reckless actions, provocations or attempts to undermine our sovereignty, territorial integrity & political independence are met with a firm & united response.”

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

“Today’s meeting once again demonstrates that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from the security of the wider European continent. Russia’s escalatory rhetoric & actions only reinforce our resolve to support Ukraine & its right to sovereignty, territorial integrity & political independence. Ukraine is defending its right to exist, in line with the #UNCharter.”

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

“It is vital to increase pressure on Russia & those enabling its war of aggression. The path to peace begins with an immediate, full, & unconditional ceasefire. We call on this Council & all 🇺🇳 member states to use their influence constructively to advance peace, uphold the principles of the #UNCharter, & contribute to a just and lasting peace for 🇺🇦.”

[Latvia Mission to the UN | #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦 @LatviaUN_NY]

🇱🇻 Latvia joined a #UNSC stakeout with 🇺🇳 55 governments representing the 🇪🇺 European Union & #NATO Allies & partners, & partner nations worldwide, condemning the reckless Russian drone incident on 29 May that injured civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure in Galați, Romania. This is a direct consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

🇱🇻🇷🇴 Latvia stands in full solidarity with our EU & NATO Ally, Romania.