Latvia has taken very focused approach to combating hate crimes - PM

RIGA - Latvia has taken a very focused approach to combating hate crimes, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) told reporters after a meeting with President Edgars Rinkevics on Wednesday.

According to the prime minister, since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost four years ago, people and law enforcement authorities have learned to identify this type of crime much better, including justification of Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

"We have a number of criminal investigations, verdicts, and cases. And this means that our society and state authorities do not tolerate such crimes," said Silina.

Rinkevics, for his part, acknowledged that war stirs up emotions and gives rise to different kinds of opinions. However, Latvian legislation makes it clear that any criminal acts justifying aggression of any kind will not be tolerated.

He did not deny that there are people who believe that warfare can take place in the 21st century, but the state, for its part, reacts strongly to such views and will react in accordance with the law. "If it is violated, it will be investigated, the person will be convicted, if guilty, and will serve their sentence," Rinkevics said.

As reported, the State Security Service (VDD) in its 2025 annual report noted that the full-scale war launched by Russia in Ukraine and related developments remained the main topic attracting attention and influencing public mood in Latvia last year. According to the VDD, Russia's aggression in Ukraine last year had an even greater impact on the Latvian public mood than in 2023 and 2024.

This trend is linked to developments in international politics over the past year, with calls for Ukraine to effectively surrender, which raised public concerns about the emergence of geopolitical conditions more favorable to Russian interests. International developments have increased the sense of uncertainty and insecurity in Latvian society, raising questions about the impact of the changes on the security of the Baltic states, according to the VDD.

The majority of the Latvian public, while continuing to support Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor, remained vigilant and opposed pro-Kremlin manifestations in Latvia, the VDD assessed. Public demand for measures to promote internal security, strengthen the position of the state language, and reduce the potential for Russian influence did not weaken.

However, according to the VDD analysis, there is still a segment of the Latvian population that continues to support Russia and its war in Ukraine, either covertly or openly. The majority of supporters of Russian aggression were people who use Russian in their everyday communication. The mood and expressions of this segment of society remained unchanged, according to the VDD. The pro-Russia population continued to oppose the current measures to strengthen Latvia's national security and the Latvian language. Any efforts by the Latvian state to reduce the influence of the aggressor state continued to be misinterpreted by this section of society as Russophobia and "discrimination against Russian-speakers". The resources used to spread Russian propaganda continued to contribute to the preservation and consolidation of this attitude, the report states.