Latvia extends ban on entry for Russian tourists

(Patria) - The Latvian government announced yesterday that it has extended the ban on entry for Russian citizens until March 2025.

The reason cited is Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Latvian officials claim still poses a threat to its internal security.

A statement from the cabinet of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said that entry to the EU and Latvia as tourists will be banned for Russian nationals until further notice.

However, some Russians will be allowed entry, including those with valid residence permits in Latvia or another EU member state, or Russians whose entry is linked to humanitarian reasons such as political dissidents, AP reports.

In September 2022, Poland, together with other Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - reached a joint agreement to limit the number of Russian nationals entering their countries in order to prevent alleged security risks following the start of the war in Ukraine.

In Latvia, an EU and NATO member that borders Russia, a significant number of ethnic Russian minority live, making up about 25 percent of the country's total population of 1.9 million. This Baltic country was previously a popular holiday destination, and its capital Riga, a popular weekend destination for Russian tourists.