Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Latvia has been providing massive support to war-torn Ukraine. Like Estonia and Lithuania, this small Baltic state is among the European countries hosting the highest number of Ukrainian refugees relative to its population. Our reporters Valentine Patry and Hugo Laridon went to Latvia to meet some of those who are helping Ukrainians.
LATVIA : STANDING WITH UKRAINE
France 24
Reporters
Journalist
Valentine Patry
Camera
Hugo Laridon
Production Assistant
Tea Clero
May, 2026
“Many children from Ukraine have no memories of life before the war. They are used to a life with bombing, shelter seeking, and no electricity. They’re very nervous when they see airplanes up in the sky. These kinds of experiences here in Riga for them are very important, because they can experience for the first time what it means to have a normal childhood, and to feel safe.”
Liene DAMBIŅA, CEO Children’s Hospital Foundation (RIGA, Latvia)
