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Baiba Braže at the opening panel of Rīga Conference 2024: We need to be bolder in providing assistance to Ukraine and securing its future in the EU and NATO

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

17.10.2024

"Ukraine is fighting not only for itself, but for all of us. And when we talk about Ukraine, we also talk about ourselves, since Ukraine's success on the battlefield is directly linked to security in Europe. As policy makers, we - politicians - should listen more to military experts and work closely together to bridge the gap between civilian and military leaders in the current geopolitical situation," the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, emphasized at the opening panel of The Rīga Conference 2024.

She also underlined that at this point there is no evidence whatsover that Russia is willing to end its agression. So when we hear calls to strike a deal with Putin, we must make it crystal clear that Ukraine is not some bargaining chip to negotiate with. We must be decisive in providing aid to Ukraine and ensure its future in the EU and NATO.

The Foreign Minister took part in the panel alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius landsbergis, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, James O'Brien, and the Directro General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Karin von Hippel. The discussion was moderated by the Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), Minna Ålander.

On 19 October, Baiba Braže will take part in a plenary session on NATO's 360-degree strategy and strategic partnerships together with NATO's Acting Deputy Secretary General, Boris Ruge, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, and Chair of the Committee for Foreign Affairs at the Bundestag, Roderich Kiesewetter.

Held from 17 to 19 October at the Latvian National Museum of History, The Rīga Conference 2024 brings together high level experts such as Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence, Siemtje Möller, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security, Scott W. Bray, Liberia's Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George, as well as the EU Sanctions Envoy, David O'Sullivan, and officials and professionals.