Moscow Issues Warning to EU Country About Migration 'Lawlessness'
Latvian immigration laws have been characterized by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as openly Russophobic and discriminatory. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Russians may face deportation from Latvia due to significant amendments to immigration laws aimed at tightening residency-permit application processes.
Moscow has condemned these changes as “lawlessness,” warning of retaliatory measures. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the new rules breach international legal norms.
In June, Latvia enacted immigration amendments requiring language tests for Russian citizens who were previously exempt. Additionally, those seeking residency are reportedly required to express their views on the Ukraine conflict.
While Latvian is the official language, a significant portion of the population speaks Russian, with ethnic Russians comprising about 25%, according to data from the country’s Central Statistics Bureau.
“The discriminatory requirements of Latvia’s migration laws are openly Russophobic in nature. They flagrantly violate fundamental international legal norms,” Zakharova posted on her Telegram channel on Thursday.
Recent reports indicate that three Russian citizens were deported for not providing the necessary proof of language proficiency required for permanent residence permits, and six others have reportedly received deportation orders.
Approximately 1,500 Russian citizens have chosen to leave Latvia voluntarily after their residency permits expired.
Zakharova warned that Moscow “will continue to take tough measures, including asymmetric measures, in response to the lawlessness going on in Latvia.”
She claimed that Russia's economic actions have already made a “tangible impact” on Latvia's budget revenues. In March, Moscow sanctioned over 300 individuals from the Baltic states and advised Russian citizens against traveling there.
Reports indicate that the transit of goods through Latvian ports has dropped by 27% in 2023, attributed to EU sanctions against Russia. Zakharova hinted in May that Moscow could respond to the Baltic states' anti-Russia stance by further restricting goods transit through their ports.
For years, Latvian authorities have gradually reduced the rights of Russian speakers. Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Riga has implemented several strict policies against Russian nationals and actively sought to limit the use of the Russian language in various aspects of life.
Moscow has criticized Latvia’s measures as “extremely” Russophobic, yet has refrained from severing diplomatic ties, asserting that it would leave many Russian citizens without necessary consular support.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Moscow has condemned these changes as “lawlessness,” warning of retaliatory measures. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the new rules breach international legal norms.
In June, Latvia enacted immigration amendments requiring language tests for Russian citizens who were previously exempt. Additionally, those seeking residency are reportedly required to express their views on the Ukraine conflict.
While Latvian is the official language, a significant portion of the population speaks Russian, with ethnic Russians comprising about 25%, according to data from the country’s Central Statistics Bureau.
“The discriminatory requirements of Latvia’s migration laws are openly Russophobic in nature. They flagrantly violate fundamental international legal norms,” Zakharova posted on her Telegram channel on Thursday.
Recent reports indicate that three Russian citizens were deported for not providing the necessary proof of language proficiency required for permanent residence permits, and six others have reportedly received deportation orders.
Approximately 1,500 Russian citizens have chosen to leave Latvia voluntarily after their residency permits expired.
Zakharova warned that Moscow “will continue to take tough measures, including asymmetric measures, in response to the lawlessness going on in Latvia.”
She claimed that Russia's economic actions have already made a “tangible impact” on Latvia's budget revenues. In March, Moscow sanctioned over 300 individuals from the Baltic states and advised Russian citizens against traveling there.
Reports indicate that the transit of goods through Latvian ports has dropped by 27% in 2023, attributed to EU sanctions against Russia. Zakharova hinted in May that Moscow could respond to the Baltic states' anti-Russia stance by further restricting goods transit through their ports.
For years, Latvian authorities have gradually reduced the rights of Russian speakers. Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Riga has implemented several strict policies against Russian nationals and actively sought to limit the use of the Russian language in various aspects of life.
Moscow has criticized Latvia’s measures as “extremely” Russophobic, yet has refrained from severing diplomatic ties, asserting that it would leave many Russian citizens without necessary consular support.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
