The Latvian government enforces the results of compulsory examinations in the Latvian language, which some Russians have boycotted. Deportations have started.
400,000 Russians live in Latvia, which constitutes 24 percent of the population.
In 2014, Latvia watched as the Kremlin exploited the Russian population in eastern Ukraine to invade that country. This was an alarm bell for the Baltic states, especially Estonia and Latvia.
On September 14, 2023, the Latvian Parliament approved the final amendment to the Immigration Act, extending by two years the deadline for passing the state language exam on the way to obtaining permanent residence in the country. Russian citizens living in Latvia will be able to obtain a temporary residence permit for two years, during which they will have to pass an exam in the state language. The application for a residence permit had to be submitted by December 31.
The Latvian authorities are already sending out letters informing of the deportation decision. A total of 9 people have already been deported, and over 600 have voluntarily left the country.
- Based on reporting by Defence24
