Latvian authorities evasive in comments on US report about Russia's multi-million payments to foreign political parties

RIGA - Latvian security services and the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) have been evasive in their comments on the US intelligence report that Russia has  secretly paid out at least USD 300 million to foreign political parties and politicians in more than 20 countries to exert its influence abroad. 

LETA asked representatives of the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB), State Security Service and KNAB whether these services are familiar with the report and whether Latvia might be among the countries whose parties and politicians have been receiving Russian money. 

According to KNAB representatives, the anti-corruption bureau has not received the report. If it receives the full text of the report it will study its content before deciding on further steps. 

Representatives of the State Security Service indicated that the service constantly cooperates with foreign partner services, exchanging current information on potential risks and threats. At the same time, information about Latvian security services' cooperation with foreign partners is classified. 

SAB would not comment on contacts with partner services either, but said that the bureau receives information concerning the aforementioned matters and SAB provides information to the National Security Council.

As reported, Russia has secretly distributed at least USD 300 million to political parties, officials and politicians in more than two dozen countries since 2014 with the goal of exerting political influence and swaying elections, according to a State Department summary of a recent US intelligence review that was commissioned by US President Joa Biden's administration following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

The US authorities have not revealed which countries have been receiving Russian money.