What Mārtiņš spoke about.

7

Jul

2026

EN Speech

Watch

2025 Commission report on Ukraine (debate)

Mr President, it was Monday night while many of us woke up early to catch the flight to Strasbourg that Kyiv was hit again. The Russian missiles and drones killed 28 people, dozens wounded and true horror. So some in Europe are tired of the war, that's fair enough. But what gives Ukrainians the strength to keep fighting even though they are so tired of this horror? I have asked this question to Uk…

16

Jun

2026

EN Speech

Watch

Russia’s unacceptable provocative actions and drone incursions into Romania, the Baltic states and Finland (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, I welcome this debate and I thank all the colleagues from Romania, Finland, the Baltic States and other countries for making it happen. But while we speak about the drones, let us not forget about the most powerful weapon Russia has, and it is lies. Russia spread the lies that drones were launched from the Baltic territory. And this is an aggressive attack, designed …

19

May

2026

EN Speech

Watch

Europe's response to reduced US military deployments in Europe, particularly at its Eastern flank in the light of the latest US decisions (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, I serve as a volunteer in the Latvian armed forces, my wife also serves and our son has joined as well. In Latvia and in our region, this is normal. But Europe as a whole faces one problem that too many politicians avoid saying out loud: we simply do not have enough military personnel. Our 'plan A' remains NATO and Article 5 and it must stay that way. Every day we…

29

Apr

2026

LV Speech

Watch

Danger of normalising relations with Russia, including its participation in major cultural and sports events (debate)

29

Apr

2026

EN Speech

Watch

Topical debate requested by a political group (PfE) (Rule 169) - Commission interference in democratic process and elections (topical debate)

Mr President, let me speak directly to my colleagues from Orbán's political group. In Latvia, we have a saying: 'zaudēt ir jāmāk' – you have to know how to lose. This debate should not be happening because nobody here is confused about who interfered in Hungary's elections. It wasn't Europe, it was the Kremlin, and it was Trump. The fear campaigns, the false flags, Russian bot armies and JD Vance,…

28

Apr

2026

EN Speech

Watch

Ensuring accountability and justice in response to Russia’s continued attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, there is no peace without justice. Every day this war continues and Ukrainian civilians pay – with their homes, their children, their lives and their future. And the man who orders it sits in the Kremlin, untouched. I personally face criminal case in Belarus for flying a free Belarusian flag here in Europe. But as for those who ordered murders, torture and rape, E…

10

Mar

2026

LV Speech

Watch

Tackling barriers to the single market for defence - Flagship European defence projects of common interest

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, In the report, we included one important section, 'Towards common standards in the European defence industry', and thank you for your excellent cooperation. Let us be honest, however, that the report itself will not do anything until the Commission produces specific legislation, because it is clear that the industry will not agree on its own. Each company has its own s…

10

Feb

2026

EN Speech

Watch

Building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment (debate)

Madam President, colleagues, I once sat next to a wealthy American who talked to me about the new concept, 'F-you money'. It's not about riches; it's about the ability to sometimes say no, to walk away from your dead-end job and control your own future. And right now, Europe does not have that kind of privilege. Around 80 000 US troops are stationed here, forming a pan-European security force. We …

22

Jan

2026

LV Speech

Watch

Drones and new systems of warfare – the EU’s need to adapt to be fit for today’s security challenges (debate)

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, Drones are no longer the future. They are needed today not only for our defence forces, but also for our civil security, because what we see is Russia's attacks on our infrastructure; Example 2:am to paralyse European airports. That is why Europe must be ready to react quickly and effectively. Latvia is an example of how one small country can become a drone powerhouse.…

20

Jan

2026

EN Speech

Watch

CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) (joint debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, this report matters because we no longer live in a safe world. On Europe's eastern flank, we see it every day: the violation of our airspace, cyber-attacks, sabotages and disinformation. And these are not just 'cyber threats', as some like to say, they are deliberate acts of aggression, mainly from Russia – meant to scare us, divide us and test our resolve. This repo…

16

Dec

2025

LV Speech

Watch

EU Defence Readiness (joint debate)

26

Nov

2025

LV Speech

Watch

EU response to the continuous airspace violations and sabotage of critical infrastructure in the EU originating from Russia and Belarus (debate)

25

Nov

2025

EN Speech

Watch

European Defence Industry Programme and a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products (‘EDIP’) (debate)

Madam President, esteemed colleagues, after a long discussion, the European Defence Industry Programme is finally coming. Europe can be truly independent only if we take our destiny in our hands. Without strong defence, we risk letting other powers like the US, China and Russia decide Europe's future. This is the clearest lesson from Trump's one‑sided EU trade deal and this so‑called 'peace plan' …

22

Oct

2025

LV Speech

Watch

Ending all energy imports from Russia to the EU and closing loopholes through third countries (debate)

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, Too slow and too late, but Europe seems to have finally understood: the sooner we get rid of Russian gas and oil, the sooner this Russian war machine will also be suppressed. Latvia renounced Russian gas 1,000 days ago. And look at what is happening to European countries that have not done so, such as Hungary and Slovakia. I imagined this feeling of humiliation for Hun…

22

Oct

2025

EN Speech

Watch

Situation in Belarus, five years after the fraudulent presidential elections (debate)

Madam President, honourable Members, the people of Belarus do not stand with Lukashenka, and they don't stand with Putin either. And we share their dream of freedom and a country where the government serves its citizens, and does not imprison them, where the Belarusian language is celebrated, not suppressed, where allies treat Belarus with respect, not as a platform to start wars or for nuclear we…

8

Oct

2025

EN Speech

Watch

United response to recent Russian violations of the EU Member States’ airspace and critical infrastructure (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, Russia is collapsing: over 1 million soldiers dead or wounded; more than 11 000 armoured vehicles, tanks, have been destroyed; and billions of euros lost. War spending now consumes almost 40 % of the state budget. Yet, after three and a half years, Russia still has no victory in sight. That's why the Kremlin has changed its tactics. Unable to win on the battlefiel…

11

Sep

2025

LV Speech

Watch

Solidarity with Poland following the deliberate violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones (debate)

Dear Chair, Colleagues, Today we hear a disclaimer here that these are already a few drones. Well, who doesn't?! It's human to make mistakes. Maybe next time everything will fall into Ukraine. I listen and see in which country’s information space some live – obviously Russian. Russia hates the Western world. Russia hates a united Europe. Instead of the European Union, Putin would like small, ludic…

10

Sep

2025

EN Speech

Watch

State of the Union (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, I too dislike the one-sided trade deal with the United States. I too dislike watching Europe quietly accept the shifting world order, or the next sudden decision from the US President. We can shout in the sky, tear our eyes out, or hold an endless non-confidence vote, but nothing will change if we do not understand one simple truth: any Commission will have its ha…

9

Jul

2025

EN Speech

Watch

EU Preparedness Union in light of the upcoming wildfire and droughts season (debate)

Madam President, colleagues, crises are part of Europe. But when disaster strikes, it's not a governmental official who knocks first at your door – it's your neighbour. And that is where true preparedness begins: in trust between people; in the strength of local NGOs and community groups, who know the names and needs in their neighbourhoods. They can organise training, build resilience from the bo…

18

Jun

2025

EN Speech

Watch

Upcoming NATO summit on 24-26 June 2025 (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, our threat has one clear name: it's Russia. And that's why NATO countries have to do more than just make a stand. Ukraine is leading by example with courage, with strategy and with a refusal to back down. We all saw what Ukraine achieved when it reached deep into Russian territory, and destroyed the very bombers that had been terrorising its cities and people. Mos…

2

Apr

2025

EN Speech

Watch

Immediate risk of further repression by Lukashenka’s regime in Belarus - threats from the Investigative Committee (debate)

Mr Preisdent, if someone from Belarusian opposition spoke here today, they would be risking for freedom, safety and family well-being. In Belarus, the government doesn't just go after those who speak out inside the country, it also punishes those who voice their opinions, even here in the European Union. Simply travelling to the EU or speaking up can lead to jail time and losing everything they ow…

1

Apr

2025

EN Speech

Watch

CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TUE) (joint debate)

Madam President, this report should mark a turning point. We welcome the progress made: higher defence budget, stronger EU- NATO cooperation and increased support for our defence industry. But it is not enough. 2 % GDP target for defence is a peacetime goal. There is a war in Europe. Shouldn't we invest much more in defence? Countries on Russia's border, we allocate at least 5 %. Latvia, for examp…

11

Mar

2025

EN Speech

Watch

European Council meetings and European security (joint debate)

Madam President, Europe is a giant in chains: wealthy, powerful, yet paralysed. Objective reality and data show that there is no need to despair. Quite the opposite. We have given Ukraine EUR 134 billion. That sounds like a lot, but it's just 0.2 % of our GDP. If the US steps back, we can raise that to 0.4 % without difficulty. The Baltics, Finland and Denmark already contributed nearly 1 % – a sm…

12

Feb

2025

LV Speech

Watch

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (debate)

Dear Chair, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland are currently protecting the external borders of the European Union. Colleagues, that's a fact. The regions of Latvia – Latgale and North Vidzeme – are the first bastions of freedom and democracy in Europe. Already after the borders of Latgale and North Vidzeme, there is Mordor – an aggressive, tyrannical territory that wants to subjugate its…

11

Feb

2025

EN Speech

Watch

Continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression (debate)

Mr President, dear friends, yes, we Latvians see Russia differently because we live beside it. Just imagine an apartment building. We – Latvian and Estonian neighbours – live in the same floor and are improving our house day by day. But behind the door, on the east side, there is our unruly tenant living, Russia, who is aggressive, who is drunk, destructive. Our Ukrainian neighbour suffers the mos…