Latvia announces new aid for Kyiv, including artillery, munitions, helicopters
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics announced on Jan. 11 a new military aid package for Ukraine, including howitzers, drones, munitions, and more. He said this during a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine's head of state arrived in Latvia earlier on Jan. 11 as the final step in his tour of the Baltic countries.
"Today I also informed the president of Ukraine about the next aid package, which includes howitzers, 155 mm ammunition, anti-tank weapons, rockets, grenades, helicopters, drones, communication devices, generators, as well as (other) equipment," Rinkevics said.
A staunch supporter of Ukraine against Russian aggression, Latvia committed over 1% of its gross domestic product to military assistance for Kyiv, one of the highest shares of all the allies.
"I am grateful to Latvia for the latest military aid package for Ukraine and a clear understanding that the strength of Ukrainian warriors, positions, and future is the strength that secures Latvia's independence as well," Zelensky said on the social media platform X.
Riga also undertook to lead a drone coalition, one of the several military capability coalitions formed to support Kyiv, Rinkevics noted.
The Latvian president further said that the prime ministers of Latvia and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on military cooperation and an intergovernmental assistance agreement later on Jan. 11.
As part of non-military assistance, Latvia's parliament voted to provide over 500 million euros ($547 million) for Ukraine's reconstruction over the next three years, focusing on Chernihiv Oblast, according to Rinkevics.
As part of his Baltic tour, Zelensky also visited Lithuania on Jan. 10 and Estonia a day later, receiving new pledges of long-term assistance from both countries. While Vilnius promised almost $220 million in the next three years, Estonia announced assistance of $1.3 billion until 2027.
Martin Fornusek
