Silina urges EU leaders to include manganese ore in sanctions against Russia

RIGA - Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) urged European Union (EU) leaders to include manganese ore in the list of EU sanctions against Russia at the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

Silina tweeted that at the meeting she underlined Latvia's position on the need to include manganese ore in the sanctions against Russia and also addressed the heads of state and government of the Baltic region to jointly support the cessation of transit of the raw material.

At the same time, the Prime Minister has convened the Latvian Ports, Transit and Logistics Council for a meeting on March 28 "to discuss with the industry in an open conversation the inevitable need for the industry to redirect itself towards new markets".

Silina previously said that if manganese ore or aluminum oxide cannot be included in the sanctions list, the Latvian government will look for other solutions. However, she admitted that it would be better if Europe managed to reach a unanimous decision.

"The aim is not to provide Russia with the components that help their economy and military machine. We have reacted immediately by asking for a decision at European level. (...) We do not need to wait for long periods of discussion. Let us demand that this happens as soon as possible.

As reported, the Estonian newspaper Postimees reported recently that following the outbreak of war, the supplies of manganese ore, crucial for the arms industry, to Russia have surged dramatically, and since 2023, these supplies have also been routed through the Port of Sillamae, half of which is owned by Estonia's former prime minister Tiit Vahi, and also Latvia's Riga and Ventspils ports.

International sanctions currently do not prohibit the shipment of manganese ore to Russia.