Today marks exactly four years since Russia's attack on Ukraine. The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, published a speech dedicated to this date:
For four years now, Russia has been waging a full-scale war against Ukraine. For four years, Ukraine has been fighting for its freedom. For four years, innocent people have been dying. For four years, Russia has been deliberately trying to erase Ukraine from the map of the world and Europe. It has become clear that the end of the war will be neither quick nor easy.
But anger has awakened. During this time, not only the world system has changed, but we ourselves have changed. Our dormant compassion has awakened. Thank you to everyone who has donated funds and provided practical assistance to both Ukrainian refugees in Latvia and people in Ukraine itself.
Over these four years, we have realized our own responsibility. We have accepted that each person must lock their own home and keep the key safe. Thank you to every zemessargs and serviceman. Thank you to those who unite people and act to strengthen their colleagues, friends, and neighbors. And thank you to those who care for those who cannot care for themselves. For our responsibility is not only our own safety but also the safety of those around us.
The war is taking place across Europe. At sea, in the air, on land, and in the internet. The forms of hybrid warfare are changing, but the goal of our eastern neighbor remains the same — to destroy and annihilate. Russia attacks our beliefs, but we oppose it with our will. Russia attacks our dreams, but we respond with faith in ourselves. Russia attacks our patriotism, but this only strengthens our love for Latvia.
However, we also see that we need to mobilize even more. For every task completed, two new ones arise. Military technologies are evolving rapidly. We must not tire. We will not tire — we will endure and continue to support both Ukraine and ourselves.
