Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has said that Riga supports a ban on issuing visas to Russian citizens and EU-wide financial assistance for Ukraine.
He made the remarks in Brussels on Thursday upon arriving for a two-day meeting of the European Council.
Pointing out that Ukrainian grain and other agricultural exports are blocked through the Black Sea, the Latvian leader noted that Russia, meanwhile, benefits from grain transit through the Baltic states.
"This creates enormous pressure, and it should not be happening. That is why we are proposing an initiative for EU-wide assistance to Ukraine, as the country is facing a critical shortage of funds for this winter," Kulbergs said.
The Latvian prime minister also stated that components manufactured by 85 European companies are currently being found in Russian missiles used against Ukraine.
"We are talking about increasing financial support, but at the same time we are allowing Russia to expand its missile capabilities because we have not synchronised sanctions on products manufactured by companies whose goods ultimately end up in Russian hands. It makes no sense to provide more funding while simultaneously allowing Russia to develop military capabilities that pose a threat," he stressed.
Kulbergs also called for a ban on issuing visas to Russian citizens.
"A visa ban is necessary. We have seen what happened in Leipzig, arson attacks on military facilities on the eastern flank, including in Poland, and railway sabotage. All of this will continue if we allow them to enter. Sanctions designed for the long term certainly deliver results, and we have seen that they work," the Latvian prime minister explained.
