Latvia recognized Russia
The document states that the violence of the Russian Federation aimed at civilians, and which is carried out to achieve political goals is terrorism, and the Russian Federation itself is a state that supports terrorism. In the Diet of Latvia, other countries have also called for a similar decision. The statement states that Latvia regards Russia's actions in Ukraine as a purposeful genocide against the Ukrainian people.
The consequences of the invasion of the Russian Federation from Ukraine since 2014, including millions of refugees, missile strikes in the peaceful cities of Ukraine, murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenovka, as well as supporting separatism in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and Crimea, are mentioned.
Latvia's parliamentarians stated that the Kremlin is purposefully persecuted by the Ukrainian civilian population, resorting to torture and violence to occupy Ukraine by demoralizing and paralyzing the ability to action the Armed Forces and the people of Ukraine. The document calls for partner countries to strengthen sanctions on the Russian Federation, as well as increase military, financial, humanitarian and diplomatic support of Ukraine.
In addition, the Latvia Seimas expects EU Member States to suspend tourist visas immediately and limit visas to Russian citizens and Belarus. Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba thanked the Diet of Latvia for recognition of the Russian Federation by the country-existence of terrorism and called this decision a timely step. “Russia has long earned this status in Ukraine and abroad. Ukraine calls for other states and organizations to follow its example, ”he wrote in his Twitter.
On April 24, Zelensky called on the world community to recognize the Russian Federation by the state-existence of terrorism, and its armed forces by a terrorist organization. The inclusion in the list of terrorism states allows to impose additional categories of sanctions on the country, including restrictions on US foreign assistance, prohibition of export and sale of defense products, measures of control over exports of dual-use goods, as well as financial and other restrictions.