Latvia proposes to ban grain imports from Russia and Belarus to the EU

Latvian Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens has proposed to ban imports of Russian and Belarusian grain to the European Union. This is reported by LSM.

In 2022, the goods of Russian and Belarusian origin accounted for more than half of the cargo volumes of the Latvian state-owned company LDz. Although the figures for 2023 are not yet known, the company’s management confirms that it will continue transportation.

Since the company is owned by the Latvian state, the decision on its future is made by the Ministry of Transport of Latvia.

The new Minister of Transport, Kaspars Briskens, calls Russian grain “bloody” and proposes to ban its imports to the EU.

According to him, Russia may use grain export revenues to finance the war against Ukraine. In addition, the Russian authorities may export grain stolen from the occupied territories of Ukraine under the guise of Russian grain.

Brishkens has already instructed the Ministry to prepare an analysis of the consequences of imposing a ban on imports of Russian and Belarusian grain.

The minister has also started talks with his Estonian and Lithuanian counterparts on the subject.

“I believe that the Baltic states should have a common position,” Briskens said, adding that he would try to convince the government and other EU countries to ban imports of Russian and Belarusian grain as part of the next package of sanctions.

Tags: restrictions, Russia, grain, EU, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia