The Latvian parliament voted today to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism for its military operation in Ukraine. The resolution states, as reported by Reuters: “Latvia recognises Russia’s actions in Ukraine as targeted genocide against the Ukrainian people.” Western nations should increase their military, financial, humanitarian and diplomatic backing for Ukraine and support initiatives condemning Russia’s actions, it added.
This was the specific action that Ukraine’s President Zelensky demanded of countries, especially the United States, after he pronounced Russia guilty of the recent artillery shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plants. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said today that he was grateful for the Latvian parliament’s resolution. “Ukraine encourages other states and organizations to follow suit,” Kuleba tweeted.
The Latvian parliament’s action came the day after U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Latvia for meetings with the country’s President, Prime Minister and Defense Minister, and for an appearance with some of the 600 U.S. troops stationed in the country. Austin called Russia the greatest threat to Europe and promised that, if needed, the U.S. would send even more troops to Latvia.
