Latvia asks EU for 7 billion euros to sever ties with Russia

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has asked the European Union to allocate an additional 7 billion euros to sever ties with Russia and cover defense costs. This amount is expected to be allocated from the next seven-year budget of the European Union. This was reported by RBC with reference to Politico.

This amount is almost half of Latvia's seven-year defense budget, as the country plans to spend 15.12 billion euros on defense during this period. Kulbergs noted that Latvia ensures the security of Western countries.

“We are increasing the budget deficit and paying for the defense of the whole of Europe,” the prime minister said.

He added that most of the allocated funds will return to Europe itself through the purchase of weapons from Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands. Andris Shuvaevs, the candidate for prime minister from the Progressive Party, said that Riga's policy towards Moscow will change over time.

"I am 100 percent sure that Latvia's foreign policy towards Russia will soften over time," Shuvaevs said.

He believes that the exemption of some Russian businessmen from sanctions is a sign of this, and some ministers are starting to speak more friendly about Russia.

In June, the Latvian prime minister announced his intention to sever trade ties with Russia. He described these ties as unnecessary dependence. He also stressed that the severance of trade ties should be carried out in consultation with the European Union, since Latvia is part of the EU's single trade area.

According to Kulbergs, the country's pharmaceutical industry will not be able to adapt to another market quickly. The government intends to discuss this issue with the heads of pharmaceutical companies. The prime minister said that pharmaceutical production capacities could be important for Latvia's defense.

"These capabilities must be preserved," he stressed.

Kulbergs took office as prime minister on May 28. In a speech to parliament, he named security, the economy and governance as the government's priorities. The prime minister said that Latvia could no longer live in debt and that state funds should be used wisely.

Earlier, it was reported that Latvia had demanded the complete removal of the Russian language from the media. According to the country's Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis, there is no reason for its existence in the current military-political situation.