Lanekss LLC supplied tea made in Russia and salt made in Belarus to the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), as reported by LTV programme Panorāma.
NBS orders food supplies through the State Centre for Defence Logistics and Procurement. In October 2023 the army was supplied with 2.6 kg of tea made in Russia. In January 2024 the Latvian army received 7 kg of Belarusian salt. NBS sent both shipments back.
Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the NBS for Support Kaspars Zdanovskis explained to the programme that contracts do not clearly state it is not allowed to source these products from Russia and Belarus. Nevertheless, these products will no longer be delivered to NBS cafeteria. Zdanovskis also said he considers adding this specific section in future contracts, adding at the same time that food products do not fall under sanctions.
At the same time, Zdanovskis says the decision to terminate the contract with Lanekss LLC should be made by a court of law.
Lanekss board member Ņina Siliņa explains that since the news report from Panorāma in January, when it was reported that the company had supplied armed forces with Russian tea, the company has called off all deals involving goods that could have even the smallest ties to Russia and Belarus. The company has also ceased procuring goods made in Russia and Belarus despite the fact that certain goods are not included on sanction lists.
Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds stresses that Russian and Belarusian goods must not be supplied to Latvia’s army. “We will set up measures to control goods, and suppliers will have to keep in mind severe consequences if they supply goods of inappropriate origin,” said Sprūds.
The LTV programme reports that the State Regional Development Agency (VRAA), which supervises the Electronic Procurement System (EIS), now needs to work with lawyers in order to see if it is possible to take action against a specific business. The distribution of Russian and Belarusian goods in the state and municipal procurement system is on hold for the moment.
When asked how to resolve this issue and whether Latvia could ban imports of such products, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said this is a decision the entire European Union should make.
As previously reported, LTV received Greenfield-brand tea made in Russia in a test procurement. The label on the package states it was made in St Petersburg long after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The tea was supplied by Lanekss.
It is also reported that the Military Police are currently investigating fraud in food supplies to Ādaži military base.
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