Latvian citizens are advised to carefully consider their options before travelling, as the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA) recently warned that not only people on Russia’s reported “wanted list” can be in danger when travelling to third countries.
According to MFA spokeswoman Diana Eglite, there is risk associated with Russia and countries that have close relations with this country; thus, Latvians should assess their travel destinations carefully.
Therefore, in this case, we reiterate our call for an assessment of the need to go outside the EU and NATO Member States. We encourage people to register in the consular registry so that they are informed where our people are and can contact and provide assistance if necessary.
Ainars Latkovskis, the head of the Saeima National Security Committee, also pointed out that travellers should keep in mind to take into account the risks of the people included in Russia’s ‘wanted list’.
He also pointed out that before Russia occupied Crimea, scientists’ and journalists’ visas to this country were denied, and the next stage, as Latkovskis emphasised, was announcing an international search.
I can assure you that both representatives of the executive power and officials have always been warned that they may face problems.
He also noted that people who have publicly supported Ukraine and denounced the Russian regime can easily be included in the no-good Russia’s list.
As the Latvian news portal reports, the President of Latvia previously said that the list of people wanted by Russia is not news.
The President said that at the end of 2022, when he was still Foreign Minister, MFA had already warned deputies and local governments that the list could include all types of people from
existing or former deputies, as well as officials, are all being subjected to some form of Russian provocations in connection with decisions made in 2022.
It just shows that the Russian Federation will continue to do what we have already warned and spoken about many times – intimidate, threaten, and cause various kinds of inconvenience.
Since February 2022, which marks the start of the war in Ukraine, Russians have been subject to many sanctions imposed by the EU, including the right to apply for a visa or even crossing the EU airspace. In return, Russia has also implemented stringent measures against Europeans, including entry bans.
