Latvia and US at a forum commit to strengthening sanctions on Russia, stepping up export control

RIGA - A forum organized by the Latvian Foreign Ministry and the United States in Riga on Thursday expressed commitment to strengthening sanctions against Russia and stepping up export control, LETA was told at the Foreign Ministry.

Discussions at the expert gathering on sanctions and export controls focused especially on countering circumvention and identifying new ways to increase economic pressure. The gathering provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from a diverse set of experiences designing, implementing, and enforcing sanctions and export controls, the Foreign Ministry said.

The event brought together officials from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, the European Union (EU), 15 EU member states, and Ukraine.

The transatlantic coalition reiterated its commitment to use sanctions and export controls to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s brutal, unlawful aggression. These economic tools deprive Russia of revenue and disrupt its war machine.

Sanctions and export controls are most effective when they are imposed with partners and aligned across jurisdictions. The impacts these measures have achieved since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine reflect the benefits of a coordinated international approach, the transatlantic coalition said.

Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andzejs Vilumsons said in the opening remarks that the unprecedented set of comprehensive sanctions against Russia is meant to keep pressure on Russia to end its illegal and brutal war against Ukraine.

"We can witness that sanctions are working, but our ultimate goal is to stop this war of aggression and restore the international rules-based order after all by achieving peace, security and justice," Vilumsons said.

To conclude the event, Thea D. Rozman Kendler, Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, underlined that coordination and alignment with allies, as well as controls are disrupting Russia's war efforts against Ukraine by increasing costs, causing production delays, and reducing Russia’s equipment quality.