Latvia will stop issuing all types of visas to Russians

Latvia will not issue humanitarian and other types of visas to Russian citizens, the previously introduced restrictions on crossing the border for Russians will not change, President of the Republic Edgar Rinkevich said on Twitter.

“In connection with the events in Russia, Latvia will not issue humanitarian and other types of visas, and will not change from 09/19/22. imposed restrictions on crossing the border for citizens of the Russian Federation,” he wrote.

Rinkevich also said that Latvia is closely following the development of the situation in Russia and “exchanges information with allies.” According to him, the border guard has been strengthened, while there is no direct threat to the country now.

On September 9, 2022, the Council of the European Union decided to completely suspend the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia. Then the foreign ministers of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia agreed on restrictions on the entry of Russians into the Schengen zone through their land borders from September 19.

On the evening of June 23, in social networks associated with the founder of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin, on his behalf, it was announced about a missile attack on one of the rear camps of a military company and other statements were circulated. The Ministry of Defense stated that reports of attacks on Wagner PMC fighters are not true and are an “information provocation.” The Prosecutor General’s Office reported that the Investigation Department of the FSB of Russia opened a criminal case on the organization of an armed rebellion against Prigozhin. Today, the Ministry of Defense urged Wagner PMC fighters to “show prudence” and contact the ministry or law enforcement agencies in order to safely return to their permanent deployment points.

Later, President Putin of the Russian Federation Vladimir made an appeal, where he called what was happening “a blow to Russia, to our people.” He also noted that those who “deliberately embarked on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, embarked on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment.”