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Latvia’s parliament approved law tweaks restricting the import of a range of Russian and Belarusian consumer goods not already covered by EU sanctions, in a move aimed at further cutting economic ties with Moscow and limiting the spread of Kremlin propaganda.
“To ensure the security of Latvian society… and to provide general support to Ukrainian society, the importation of certain industrial goods into the Republic of Latvia from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus is prohibited,” the amendments to Latvia’s law (link in Latvian language) on Support for the Civilian Population of Ukraine read.
The tweaked law prohibits imports of goods originating in Russia and Belarus that are not already subject to EU sanctions, tariffs or other trade restrictions — in what appears to be one of the first national bans in the EU on a broad range of Russian and Belarusian consumer goods beyond the bloc’s sanctions regime. The restrictions will also apply to goods imported via third countries if their country of origin is Russia or Belarus.
The ban, which was approved on the same day as the EU agreed its latest sanction package, covers products that lawmakers say can be used to spread propaganda and disinformation, including books, newspapers and video games, as well as sporting goods, toys, clothing and footwear.
“These amendments are the latest tool to systematically reduce economic ties with Russia and Belarus while maintaining our unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom and independence,” said Raimonds Bergmanis, Chairman of the Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee responsible for the progress of the bill in the Latvian Parliament.
Imports of the newly targeted goods from Russia and Belarus totalled €12.5 million in 2025, accounting for 6.5% of Latvia’s remaining imports from the two countries and just 0.05% of Latvia’s total imports.
Cutting the last ties
The proposal was drafted by Latvia’s Foreign Ministry and fast-tracked through parliament as part of the government’s broader effort to eliminate remaining trade links with Russia.
“Latvia has already significantly reduced economic ties with Russia, but our goal should be a complete policy of refusal with regard to the goods of the aggressor state,” Minister of Economy Viktors Valainis said at the end of May, following the ministers’ meeting on restricting trade with Russia. At that meeting, the Foreign Ministry was instructed to prepare the legislation approved by parliament this week.
The final list of products covered by the ban will be adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers. The law will enter into force the day after it is promulgated, with the import restrictions set to remain in place until 1 July 2027.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has repeatedly argued that Latvia should end its remaining economic ties with Russia by the end of 2026 and has called on other EU member states to adopt similar measures.