Strengthening security, a firm stance on sanctions against Russia, further work in the European Union (EU) to increase pressure on the Russian economy and weaken its ability to wage war, as well as support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia were central issues highlighted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, at the 15th meeting of the Sanctions Coordination Council, held on 9 April 2025. The Minister noted in her report that Latvia will continue a strict sanctions policy against Russia, as well as emphasizing that this was not the time to talk about relaxing sanctions. On the contrary, the Foreign Ministry will continue to work on the tightening of EU sanctions. The sanctions are working despite Russian efforts to deny it. This is also demonstrated by the fact that, in all talks with the United States, Russia pushes for sanctions relief.
The Foreign Secretary said that 24 February 2025 saw the adoption of the EU’s 16th sanctions package, which sets out a range of new sector-specific restrictions as well as sanctions against individuals. Particular attention is paid to restricting the activities of Russia’s “shadow fleet”. The Minister informed the Council that work is already underway on the preparation of a new, already the 17th, sanctions package against Russia. The imposition of sanctions will continue in close coordination with the U.S. and UK as well.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže urged the members of the Sanctions Coordination Council to continue constructive cooperation, both by offering proposals for new sanctions and explaining to businesspeople that cooperation with Russia is impossible.
The Deputy Head for Sanctions at the Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia, Paulis Iļjenkovs, outlined key issues and conclusions in the field of sanctions enforcement over the year since the FIU has become the competent authority in sanctions enforcement. For their part, Senior Expert for Compliance of the Compliance Division of the Anti-Money-Laundering Department at the Bank of Latvia, Artis Aizupietis, and Senior Economist of the Macroeconomic Analysis Division at the Monetary Policy Department, Matīss Mirošņikovs, informed the Council about changes to the goods and financial flows.
During the meeting of the Sanctions Coordination Council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Deputy Director General of the State Revenue Service for Customs, Director of the Customs Administration, Gen. Raimonds Zukuls, for excellent co-operation in the field of implementation of international and national sanctions and successful protection of Latvia’s national interests at the international sanctions events.
For further information on sanctions-related matters, see the Sanctions section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. To receive regular information of latest developments related to sanctions, please sign up for updates by sending a request to the Foreign Ministry’s informational e-mail address: sankcijas@mfa.gov.lv.
About the Sanctions Coordination Council
The Sanctions Coordination Council is a consultative body established by the Cabinet with the aim of coordinating the functioning of supervisory institutions responsible for the enforcement of international sanctions and national sanctions of the Republic of Latvia. The Sanctions Coordination Council is chaired by a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Council membership comprises more than 30 public and private sector institutions.
The 16th package of EU sanctions
The present package of sanctions includes comprehensive and targeted sectoral measures to constrain Russia: prohibition of temporary storage of Russian petroleum products in the EU; a ban on EU imports of primary aluminium from Russia; a ban on export to Russia of dual-use goods and goods needed in military industry; 74 “shadow fleet” sanctioned, bringing the total to 153; 6 Russian airports and 5 ports added to the list, also Primorsk and Ust Luga, where Russian petroleum products are reloaded; 13 Russian banks banned from using the SWIFT system; suspension of broadcasting activities of 8 propaganda media outlets; 83 additional listings including 48 individuals and 35 entities; restrictions on 53 new companies (also from Hong Kong, China, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and India) related to circumvention. To prevent circumvention, a number of elements in sanctions targeting Russia aligned with sanctions against Belarus.
