The Latvian government has formalized its stance on further tightening the screws on Russia and Belarus, approving a national position that calls for expanded sanctions and increased tariffs against the two countries . The decision, made on August 4, 2026, comes as Latvia has already drastically reduced its economic reliance on its eastern neighbors.
The national position, crafted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, and Economics, serves as Latvia’s roadmap for upcoming negotiations on European Commission proposals. Its core objective is to continue weakening both Russia and Belarus globally, regionally, and nationally.
“Exerting maximum pressure on Russia’s war economy and on Belarus as a co-aggressor is the only way to reduce Russia’s ability to finance the war and to bring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine closer,” the government emphasized in its statement .
A 91% Drop in Imports
Latvia has made significant progress in cutting economic ties since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The value of imports from Russia and Belarus has plummeted by a staggering 91%, falling from €2.129 billion in 2022 to just €193 million in 2025 .
Data from the Central Statistical Bureau reveals that in the first nine months of 2025 alone, the value of goods imported from Russia and Belarus shrank by three times compared to the same period in 2024, totaling just €146.779 million . This represents a mere 0.8% of Latvia’s total imports, down from 2.8% in the previous year .
Beyond the EU Sanctions Framework
While Latvia continues to advocate for robust EU-level measures, it has not waited for Brussels to act. The country has already implemented a series of national-level import restrictions .
A ban on agricultural and livestock products has been in place since 2024. This year, the restrictions were expanded to include certain industrial goods, following a Saeima decision on July 23, 2026 . A ban on food products is also currently being developed.
These national measures are designed to complement existing EU sanctions. The government is also pushing for similar bans to be adopted at the European level to maximize their impact. In pursuing these restrictions, Latvia is aiming to make a symbolic political statement and encourage a reduction in the consumption of goods from aggressor states across the bloc .
A New Front: Countering Informational Influence
Beyond traditional trade, Latvia is looking to target Russia’s “soft power” and its ability to spread its narrative. As part of its new national position, the government will advocate for sanctioning product groups that may have a significant impact on Russia’s informational influence .
This move follows the recent national ban on the import of Russian and Belarusian consumer goods, such as books, newspapers, video games, toys, and clothing, which Latvian lawmakers believe can be used to spread propaganda and disinformation . This initiative was spearheaded by the Foreign Ministry to counter what it sees as an economic threat from cheap Russian goods and a soft power tool used to undermine support for Ukraine .
Looking Ahead
Latvia’s calls for greater and swifter action reflect a broader determination among some EU states to escalate pressure on Russia. The government has pledged to carry out further analysis and advocate for the timely adoption of future sanctions packages and the introduction of additional extraordinary sanctions to ensure consistent pressure on the aggressor states .
