Latvia–Russia relations are the bilateral foreign relations between Latvia and Russia. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 11 August 1920 after the Latvian War of Independence ended in Latvian victory with Russia recognizing Latvian sovereignty and renounced all territorial claims on Latvia. Over the century, the countries had a complex and difficult relationship. Modern-day relations have been strained and mostly unfriendly.
Latvia has an embassy in Moscow, and Russia has an embassy in Riga. Both Russia and Latvia are members of the UN and OSCE.
After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Latvia downgraded diplomatic relations and expelled the Russian ambassador in January 2023.
History 1920–1940 From 1920 to 1940, relations between the countries had existed. On August 11, 1920, the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic signed a peace treaty. Article 14 of the Treaty provided for the establishment of diplomatic and consular contacts between the parties upon ratification of the peace treaty. In 1922 the USSR was founded, which took over the foreign affairs of its member states (including Russia).
The Latvian Embassy was located in Moscow from 1920 to 1940. Latvia's first diplomatic representative in Soviet Russia was Ambassador Jānis Vesmanis, who was accredited on 2 November 1920. Latvian consular representations were established during the Civil War period (1919–1920) in Blagoveshchensk and Murmansk. Consular functions were also performed by representatives of the Latvian Interim Government: in Northern Russia by Alfreds Ikners (Arkhangelsk), in Southern Russia by Kristaps Bahmanis (Kyiv) and Rūdolfs Liepiņš (Don and Kuban). From June 1919 to October 1920, Latvia was also represented in Siberia and the Urals by Jānis Mazpolis (Vladivostok).
Soviet period
The Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940, which included deportations to Siberian Gulags (June deportation), created a large degradation of Latvian-Russian relations. Nazi Germany then occupied Latvia in 1941 German occupation of Latvia during World War II, until the USSR returned in 1944 to resume occupation, resulting in further deportations. During this period many Latvians fled with the retreating Germans or to Sweden. During the occupation, the Latvian diplomatic service continued its work in exile.
The Soviet occupation dramatically increased the number of Russians living in Latvia in a short space of time, often replacing those who were deported, executed or had fled. The high influx of Russians and the removal of Latvian as the official language caused further deterioration in the Latvia-Russian relations between citizens.
Relations 1991 to 2021
In 1991, Latvia regained independence from the USSR through the Latvian independence and democracy poll, 1991. In 2007, the border treaty between the two states was ratified after Latvia dropped a claim for a small pre-World War II territory that's currently part of modern Russia. While speaking at the Latvia-Russia Business Forum in St. Petersburg, President Valdis Zatlers spoke in favor of a visa-free regime between the EU and Russia. In an interview with Latvian newspaper Segodnya, President Andris Berzins stated that the "reality is that Russia is our neighbor, and we need to look for ways to develop good neighborly relations between our two countries no matter what".Берзиньш: Латвия должна стремиться к добрососедским отношениям с Россией On December 13, 2018, Latvian parliament adopted a declaration condemning the aggressive actions of Russia in the Kerch Strait incident.
Withdrawal of Russian troops and the decommissioning of Skrunda-1 Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation maintained its military presence in Latvia. It had troops stationed there and it continued to run the Skrunda-1 radar station. As early as 1992Russia, Latvia Agree on Troop Withdrawal Deseret News. 3 February 1992. Retrieved 19 June 2013. Russia agreed to start withdrawing its troops from Latvia. Following a 30 April 1994 agreement, Latvia allowed Russia to run the Skrunda-1 radar station for four more years in exchange for the full withdrawal of the Russian troops. Russia adhered to this agreement and withdrew its remaining troops from Latvia in August 1994 (except for the troops stationed around Skrunda, who received permission to stay longer). One of the towers of the Skrunda-1 base was demolished with the help of the United States in May 1995.U.S. EXPERTS DEMOLISH `MONSTER' TOWER IN LATVIA Deseret News. 4 May 1995. Retrieved 19 June 2013. In August 1998, Skrunda-1 suspended operations. Russia eventually dismantled the equipment and withdrew its remaining military personnel the following year. Baltics Worldwide. October 1999. Retrieved 19 June 2013 These steps marked a symbolic end to the Russian military presence and World War II on the territory of Latvia.Skrunda shuts down. The Jamestown Foundation. 1 September 1998. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
Diplomatic visits
President Valdis Zatlers attended the Moscow Victory Day Parade on Red Square on 9 May 2010, attending the 65th VE Day celebrations. President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga previously had attended the 60th anniversary event in 2005. In December 2010, Zatlers made his first state visit to Moscow, with the four-day visit including talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, as well as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin,Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Latvian President Valdis Zatlers Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.Report on Soviet damages to Latvia overshadows visit to Moscow The following year, Kremlin Chief of Staff Sergei Naryshkin made a working visit to Latvia.
In early 2014, Latvian President Andris Berzins visited Sochi to attend the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, where he had a five-minute conversation with Putin.
2014–2022 However, the Russian occupation of Crimea and the War in Donbas urged Latvia to support Ukraine and implement sanctions against Russia imposed by the EU. On June 5, 2015, Russian government "temporarily" banned Latvian and Estonian canned fish products citing "health" concerns. Half of the countries' exports share accounted for Russia. In March 2015, Latvian MEP Sandra Kalniete and Speaker of the Polish Senate Bogdan Borusewicz were both denied entry into Russia under the existing sanctions regime, and were thus unable to attend the funeral of murdered opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.
Relations 2022 to date
President of Latvia Egils Levits strongly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling for "all possible support, including weapons" to Ukraine and "the harshest possible sanctions" against Russia.
Latvia, as one of the EU countries, imposed sanctions on Russia shortly after the invasion started, in response, Russia added all EU countries to the list of "unfriendly nations". Latvia joined other countries in spring 2022 in declaring a number of Russian diplomats persona non grata.
Russian state broadcasting TV stations were banned in Latvia in March 2022.
On 11 August 2022 the Latvian Saeima designated Russia a state sponsor of terrorism and in September 2022, Latvia, along with Poland, Lithuania and Estonia decided to close entry for Russian citizens with Schengen visas, including those issued by third countries.
In January 2023 Latvia, in support of Estonia, withdrew its ambassador from Russia and expelled Russia's ambassador to Latvia in a permanent downgrading of diplomatic ties. Russia labelled the actions as "Russophobia".
As a continuing rejection of the Russian language, in 2023 Latvia imposed a requirement for an estimated 20,000 citizens who hold a Russian passport and no Latvian documents, to pass a Latvian language test and prove their loyalty, or face deportation in 2024 if they fail and do not leave voluntarily. In August it was announced that over 5,000 citizens had refused to take the language test or apply for a temporary residence permit and were likely to be asked to leave in September.
The ban on entry of Russian citizens to Latvia was extended to March 2024 and Latvia ceased issuing any visas to Russians, even for humanitarian reasons in June 2023.
In January 2024 Russia terminated the tax treaty between the two nations.
Trade In 2021 Russia exported $3.52 billion of goods to Latvia with refined oil products as the main item. Latvia exports were valued at $1.38 billion with alcoholic drinks topping the trade. Between 1995 and 2021 Russian exports grew at an average of 9.07% p.a. with Latvia exports growing at 5.77% p.a. in the same period.
Russian exports have fallen following Latvian decisions and the EU sanctions over Russia, as a result of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Controversies and issues of contention Minority rights Russia often criticizes Latvia for discrimination against the Russian-speaking populationAssessment for Russians in Latvia Minorities at Risk. 31 December 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2013Latvia criticized for abuse of minority rights Voice of Russia. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013Latvia: Treatment of ethnic Russians; whether ethnic Russians face discrimination; availability of state protection (January 2004 - December 2005) UNCHR (originally published by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada). 19 January 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2013. МИД РФ: Латвийский закон о СМИ ущемляет интересы русскоязычного населения Rosbalt. 15 July 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013.EU concerned over discrimination against Russian communities in Latvia, Estonia Pravda. 9 January 2003. Retrieved 19 June 2013. and has also participated in a number of cases of complaints against Latvia in the European Court of Human Rights as a third party. These cases also dealt with the violation of the rights of the Russian minority in Latvia. Such cases included Slivenko v. Latvia, Kononov v. Latvia, Vikulov and others v. Latvia, Россия выступит третьей стороной в деле "Викуловы против Латвии" RIA Novosti. 15 January 2004. Retrieved 19 June 2013. Sisojeva And Others v Latvia, and Vasilevskiy v. Latvia.
Spying allegations In April 2004 Latvia expelled Second Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Rīga Pyotr Uzhumov, who had allegedly been trying to gather information on Latvia's defence forces, for activities "incompatible with his diplomatic status" to which Russia responded by expelling first secretary of the Latvian Embassy in Moscow.
In March 2018 for activities not consistent with their duties and in solidarity with the United Kingdom's response to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal Latvia expelled a second secretary rank Russian diplomat within the Russian embassy in Rīga. Russia responded by expelling a Latvian diplomat from Russia.
In late May 2018 a former employee of Latvian Railways was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 60 hours of community service for espionage. The man had filmed trains carrying NATO equipment and sent the videos to a contact in Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast. In August 2018 a farmer in Alūksne Municipality was given a three-year suspended sentence for collecting open-source information near the Latvian-Russian border at an alleged request of Russian authorities that was classified as espionage.
Attacks on the diplomatic mission