The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia has explained why Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš did not attend an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers being held in Kyiv. 

It appears that Secretary of State Andris Pelšs is representing Latvia because Kariņš is unwell, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia on Twitter (X).

The informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, which usually takes place in Brussels, began in Kyiv on 2 October. 

The intention to hold the next meeting of European foreign ministers in Kyiv was known about in advance. Josep Borrell, the EU’s chief diplomat, had also noted that one of the issues on the ministers’ agenda would be future security obligations to Ukraine in the context of Russia’s war of conquest against it. 

Almost all the ministers have come to Kyiv to attend the meeting in person, the schedule of press comments available to European Pravda shows.

Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Cyprus, Ireland, Lithuania, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovakia, Malta, Estonia, Bulgaria, Austria, Romania, Finland, Croatia, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, Czechia and Sweden are represented by their foreign ministers. 

Poland is represented by Deputy Minister Wojciech Gervel, Latvia by Andris Pelšs, Secretary of State, and Hungary by Deputy Secretary of State Zsolt Bunford. 

Josep Borrell is known to have been in Ukraine for several days. He started the trip with an unannounced visit to Odesa. and participated in events to mark the Day of Defenders of Ukraine the following day.