Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, on the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Washington, D.C, United States of America.
Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s enduring commitment to Euro-Atlantic security, including through Operation REASSURANCE. He looked forward to continue working with Latvia and other Allies to scale up the Canada-led NATO multinational Battlegroup, soon to be Brigade, in Latvia. The two leaders welcomed the recent opening of the Battlegroup’s headquarters, on July 3, 2024. President Rinkēvičs thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for Canada’s steadfast leadership on enhancing security on NATO’s Eastern Flank.
The two leaders discussed their steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and reiterated that they will stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as it takes.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed the importance of ensuring the well-being and safe return of Ukrainian children who were unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred by Russia. This includes ongoing efforts through Canada’s co-leadership, with Ukraine, of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Rinkēvičs highlighted the importance of the NATO Alliance in upholding global peace and security and agreed to remain in regular contact.