Latvia has explained why it is not halting trade with Russia

In 2025, the value of Latvian exports to Russia exceeded 962 million euros, with alcoholic beverages—particularly whiskey—accounting for half of the shipments. Despite political support for Ukraine, the decline in Latvia’s trade figures with the aggressor country over the four years of war amounted to only 19–20% compared to the peak year of 2021. 

This is reported by Nastoyashchee Vremya.

Currently, Russia ranks sixth among the country’s major export partners.

The Latvian government and representatives of the Ministry of Economy note that a significant portion of these shipments consists of transit goods from other EU countries. According to officials, a unilateral trade ban would not stop the flow of goods, as logistics would simply shift to other EU countries. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimates potential losses from a complete ban on trade with Russia and Belarus at 1–2 percent of national GDP.

A Norstat survey from fall 2025 shows that 36 percent of Latvians support a complete trade boycott, while 46 percent oppose it. Despite the debate over consumer goods, Latvia has succeeded in securing a complete ban on the transit of manganese ore at the EU level. This raw material, which was previously supplied in large volumes through the Baltic states, is used by Russia in its military industry. The relevant restrictions became part of the 14th sanctions package in the summer of 2024.

Earlier, it was reported that Latvia had recorded a violation of its airspace by a foreign drone, which, according to preliminary data, flew in from Russian territory. 

The Constitutional Court of Latvia ruled that the requirement for public broadcasters to produce a portion of content in the languages of national minorities is unconstitutional. The court sided with a group of Seimas deputies who challenged this provision, particularly regarding the mandatory production of content in Russian.