Latvia Bans More Russian and Belarusian Goods

Latvia's parliament has approved a ban on imports of a range of Russian and Belarusian goods, including those shipped via third countries, under amendments to its Ukraine support law, according to Latvian news outlet Delfi.

The government must now draw up a list of prohibited products. The ban is expected to cover books and periodicals, particularly those in Russian, as well as video games, toys, sporting goods, clothing and footwear. Transit through Latvia to other European Union (EU) countries will remain permitted.

The legislation was approved by 66 lawmakers at an extraordinary parliamentary session. Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said Russia had long used printed materials as a propaganda tool. The government will review the law's effectiveness and its contribution to national security annually until March 2027.

Opposition lawmakers criticized the measure, but the government said any temporary increase in prices and disruption to wholesalers' supply chains would be offset by imports from other markets.

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