Latvia wants €7B from EU to cope with fallout from Russia’s war
As Riga gears up for crucial election, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says frontline nations are carrying too much of the cost of confronting Moscow.
RIGA — Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs is seeking €7 billion from the European Union to help offset the economic and military impacts of Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine. The funds would be allocated through the EU's upcoming seven-year budget, specifically the Competitiveness Fund, to cover increased defense spending and diminished trade with Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Kulbergs asserts that Latvia deserves special consideration, as the country is using its budget deficit to shoulder the security costs of other European nations. However, opposition parties are gaining traction, arguing that Latvia should demand more in return for its support and sanctions against Russia. Election season is intensifying the debate, with far-right and pro-Russia parties advocating for stricter policies and desire to restore economic ties with Moscow.
The center-left Progressives, who are also considering a coalition with Kulbergs, warn that a softer stance on Russia could soften Latvia's overall position. Meanwhile, Kulbergs has called for an EU-wide ban on Russian visas and the potential return of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, despite concerns over Moscow's potential challenges to the move.
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