Latvian Parliament Calls Russia A State Sponsor Of Terrorism, Moscow: No Substance Except Xenophobia

Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. (Twitter/@mfa_russia)

JAKARTA - Russia has condemned the Latvian Parliament's resolution, considering it nothing more than xenophobic because it views Moscow as a state sponsor of terrorism, regarding the invasion of Ukraine.

"Given that there is no substance, except xenophobia, behind this decision, it is necessary to call the ideologues nothing more than neo-Nazis," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram.

Latvia's parliament on Thursday labeled Russia a "state sponsor of terrorism" over the war in Ukraine, calling on Western allies to impose more comprehensive sanctions on Moscow to end the conflict.

"Latvia recognizes Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide targeted against the Ukrainian people," the Latvian Parliament said in a resolution.

Western countries should increase their military, financial, humanitarian and diplomatic support for Ukraine and support initiatives that condemn Russia's actions, he added.

In this regard, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed his gratitude for the resolution of the Latvian Parliament.

"Ukraine encourages other countries and organizations to follow suit," Kuleba tweeted.

It is known that millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes and thousands more have died since the Russian invasion in February. Moscow says it is not intentionally targeting civilians in what it calls a special military operation, aimed at keeping Russia safe and protecting Russian-speaking people in Ukraine.