Russian citizens who were provided with visas due to humanitarian considerations will be allowed to enter Latvia, according to the annotation of the decision project prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry notes that the security threat caused for Latvia by Russia, which may lead to the domestic security situation worsening, requires imposing restrictions for Russian citizens to enter Latvia and limiting non-essential travel, such as tourism and leisure.
To prevent a potential threat to Latvia’s domestic security situation, the State Border Guard will be given the right to permit transit through the territory of Latvia only for the holders of a Latvian, European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss residence permit or long-stay visas.
Persons issued with a short-stay visa who are family members of Latvian, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, as well as persons engaged in the international carriage of goods or passengers, seafarers, as well as persons who have obtained a visa for humanitarian reasons, such as persons going to visit a seriously ill relative or a funeral, persons at risk will be allowed to enter as well.
Accredited or delegated employees of Russian diplomatic missions and their family members, diplomatic couriers or «ad hoc» couriers, as well as persons going to the Russian embassy in Latvia on a short-term mission to provide technical support are also exceptions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned that in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
as of 25 February all Latvian diplomatic and consular offices in foreign countries have stopped accepting visa requests from Russian citizens.
Since then visa requests from Russian citizens have been accepted only in case of exception, such as humanitarian considerations, severe illness of a relative or funeral, threat to a person’s security. Visa applications are still accepted from relatives of citizens of Latvia and other EU member states.
On 4 August the range of Russian citizens whose visa requests are still accepted was narrowed down even more. Now visa requests are only accepted if a Russian citizen wishes to attend a funeral.
Between 25 February and 3 August Latvian diplomatic and consular missions issued a total of 1 085 visas to Russian citizens.
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that on 24 February Russia commenced a military invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine’s territory is a breach of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is against Russia’s commitments as listed in UN statutes and rules of international law.
The ministry outlined that Russian armed forces are responsible for mass crimes against Ukrainian residents, including women and children. As a result of Russian aggression, more than 6 million Ukrainians were forced to flee and thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and innocent civilians lost their lives.
Since mid-July Latvia and other EU member states that share borders with Russia have seen an increase in the number of Russian citizens wishing to cross the border to travel to Europe.
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland have voiced concerns that this could create threats to their domestic security, because many Russian citizens support Vladimir Putin’s regime’s aggressive actions and are therefore co-responsible for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the ministry reported.
The ministry also stressed that many Russian citizens continue using trips to the EU to relax and shop while an active conflict rages in Ukraine.
EU member states agreed this cannot continue. This is why travel restrictions have been imposed for certain people who support Putin’s regime.
During an informal meeting in Prague on 30th and 31st August EU ministers of foreign affairs decided to let member states to take national measures in order to limit travel to the EU.
More on this topic: Prohibition for Russian citizens with Schengen visas to cross Baltic States to come to force soon