More than 155 days have passed since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During this time Ukraine managed to offer fierce resistance. According to Ukrainian officials, Russia has lost 40 500 troops, around 1 737 tanks, nearly 4 000 armoured transports and 222 aircraft. Latvia’s government decided during this week’s extraordinary meeting to provide additional support to Ukraine.
This week the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia reported data Luminor economist Pēteris Strautiņš called surprisingly bad. According to this data, Latvia’s GDP has increased by 2.6% in Q2 2022.
Problems, meanwhile, have surfaced once again for Latvian Russians Union political party. Latvian Saeima’s Mandates, Ethics and Submissions Committee decided on Wednesday, 27 July, to ask the parliament to submit the collective application ‘On United Society Without Latvian Russians Union’ to the Saeima’s National Security Committee for continued review.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: GDP growth; More support for Ukraine; Problems for LKS; Anniversary; State sponsoring terrorism; Russia’s losses.
GDP GROWTH
Latvia’s GDP increases by 2.6%
Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETACompared to Q2 2021, gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 2.6 % in Q2 2022, according to seasonally and calendar non-adjusted data.
According to provisional estimations, the GDP was affected by a drop of 0.4 % in producing sectors and growth of 4.1 % in services sectors, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
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MORE SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Latvian government supports provision of additional military support to Ukraine
Photo: Ieva Leiniša/LETAAt a meeting on Thursday, 28 July, Latvia’s government approved the proposal from the Ministry of Defence to provide additional military support to Ukraine, as confirmed by Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks on Twitter.
The ministry did not comment to LETA in what way this support will be provided.
The Cabinet of Ministers called an extraordinary meeting to discuss this topic.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Latvia has held multiple closed meetings to discuss different ways of providing assistance to Ukrainian armed forces and interior affairs sector.
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PROBLEMS FOR LKS
Initiative to shut down Latvian Russians Union gains traction
Latvian MEP Tatyana Zhdanok. Photo: Zane Bitere/LETAOn Wednesday, 27 July, Saeima’s Mandates, Ethics and Submissions Committee decided to ask the parliament to hand over the collective application «On United Society without Latvian Russians Union» to Saeima’s National Security Committee for review.
The initiative was signed by 10 168 Latvian citizens. In it the parliament is asked to shut down Latvian Russians Union as a political party, as reported by Saeima’s press-service.
Authors of the initiative invite the parliament to make a precedent and establish a system to cease activities of anti-governmental and other organisations in Latvia.
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ANNIVERSARY
US-Baltic diplomatic relations turn 100 years old
Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAOn the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between US and Baltic States, Latvian President Egils Levits, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Estonian President Alar Kariss sent a joint congratulation letter to US President Joe Biden.
«This is an anniversary of our people’s friendship, respect and cooperation,» Baltic leaders say.
«For the Baltics, independence was not a gift, we had to defend it on the battlefield. We know that freedom, sovereignty and independence are priceless. So do the Ukrainians. We wish to thank the United States of for their efforts to ensure that the US stands with Ukraine, together with its Allies and partners,» Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian presidents wrote in the letter.
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STATE SPONSORING TERRORISM
US Senate invites branding Russia a state that sponsors terrorism
Photo: Zigurds Zaķis/FlickrThe US Senate unanimously passed a resolution in which it asks the Department of State to declare Russia a country that sponsors terrorism following its actions in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria and Ukraine, actions that have lead to «the deaths of countless men, women and children».
A similar proposal was submitted to the House of Representatives. It is expected that speaker Nancy Pelosi will voice strong support for it.
Following the passing of this resolution in the Senate the pressure is on Joe Biden’s administration to declare Russia a country that sponsors terrorism alongside countries like Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria.
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RUSSIA’S LOSSES
Ukraine: Russian losses in troops reach nearly 40 500
Photo: FlickrTroop losses Russian army has suffered in Ukraine as of Friday, 29 July, morning have reached 40 500, as reported by General Staff of the Ukrainian Army.
According to Ukrainian officials, since the start of the invasion Russia’s losses include: 1 737 tanks; 3 959 APCs; 880 howitzers; 258 multiple rocket launcher systems; 117 anti-air systems; 222 aircraft, as well as other military equipment.
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BNN summary of the week. Almost 160 of Russian-Ukrainian war. Latvia’s GDP. LKS in trouble again
