Following the end of World War I, the country of Latvia declared independence on 18 November 1918, which started the Latvian War of Independence. After agreement of a truce on 1 February 1920, Russia and Latvia signed a peace treaty on 11 August, formally recognised by the League of Nations on 26 January 1921. After the death of his younger sister (third child), the Breikšs family received a permit to leave Russia on 3 October 1920. Departing Moscow in a lorry convey in December 1920, the family of five leave Russia with only that which they can carry, travelling first to Zilupe and then catching a train to Riga.