Latvia banned the import of industrial goods, including books, from Russia and Belarus. The measure was taken in Riga and aims to weaken economic ties with Moscow and Minsk, reduce Russian export revenues and strengthen the fight against Russian propaganda.
The ban applies to all industrial goods imported from the two countries. However, there is an exception for books: customs clearance can be done in another European Union country.
The demographic context is relevant to this measure: in Latvia, 38% of residents have Russian as their mother tongue, which makes the country particularly exposed to Russian propaganda influence.
This decision is part of a series of sanctions and restrictions imposed by Western countries on Russia since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, seeking to economically isolate the Moscow regime.
