Latvia’s immigration authority, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), ordered six Russian citizens to leave the country.
The orders targeted those who failed to apply for a Latvian residence permit, with two of them already having departed the country, according to a report by Latvia’s public broadcaster LSM.
Maira Roze, the head of PMLP, shared on the “Morning Panorama” program that out of 1,017 Russians who have not met the legal prerequisites for residency, only these actions have been taken so far, and the situation is continually evolving.
The remaining four citizens who have been instructed to leave Latvia have been given a month to comply.
In contrast, 22 others have managed to provide the necessary documents for family reunification, which is considered a legitimate basis for their stay in Latvia, though it still requires the proper documentation.
This move comes after changes in Latvia’s Immigration Law, specifically affecting Russian nationals who once held Latvian citizenship or were classified as “non-citizens.”
Their permanent residence permits were invalidated last September, necessitating new compliance measures for those wishing to continue residing in Latvia.
Latvia boosted its commitment to Ukraine by providing a comprehensive package of military assistance, which encompasses an array of weaponry, ammunition, and equipment.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics confirmed this development, emphasizing the substantial aid package during discussions with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Rinkevics detailed the extensive support package, which includes howitzers, artillery shells, anti-tank weaponry, surface-to-air missiles, mortars, helicopters, unmanned vehicles, and specialized cold-weather personal gear.
This substantial aid initiative represents nearly 1% of Latvia’s GDP, surpassing the remarkable sum of 600 million euros.
The Latvian government and Ukraine have solidified their commitment to collaboration in the military sector, signifying a memorandum of understanding aimed at fostering joint projects within the defense and security industry.
