EU state bans books and toys in latest Russophobic crackdown
Latvia’s parliament has approved a ban on a wide range of Russian and Belarusian consumer goods, citing support for Ukraine and concerns over alleged propaganda.
The decision comes amid accusations from Moscow that Latvia and its Baltic neighbors are pursuing extreme Russophobia and systematically targeting Russian culture, language, and people under the guise of national security.
The restrictions, which were approved on Thursday, apply to books, newspapers, toys, video games, clothing, footwear, and sporting goods produced in Russia and Belarus. They will apply to both direct shipments and goods routed through third countries and remain in force until July 1, 2027. The government has yet to finalize the list.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze claimed that Russia uses books and periodicals to spread propaganda, arguing that neither Latvia nor the EU needs this material.
Officials said the ban would further sever economic ties with Russia and Belarus and supplement existing EU sanctions. Transit through Latvia to other EU countries, however, will remain permitted.
The ban targets €12.5 million worth of annual trade, or around 0.05% of Latvia’s total imports. Riga acknowledged that it could raise prices and disrupt supplies, but said the goods could be sourced elsewhere.
The ban is the latest step in Riga’s broader campaign against Russian culture and the country’s large Russian-speaking population. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Latvia has removed Russian from education, restricted Russian-language media, imposed language tests on Russian residents, ordered deportations, and barred Russian-registered vehicles.
Latvian politician Aleksey Roslikov was also expelled from parliament and later prosecuted after speaking Russian during a session in which he denounced the marginalization of Russian speakers.
Moscow has described Riga’s policies as “blatant discrimination” and accused the Baltic states of using the supposed ‘Russian threat’ to justify militarization and the destruction of cultural and economic ties.
