Russia transfers EUR 13 million to Latvian State Treasury for payment of pensions and benefits to Russian citizens in Latvia

RIGA - Russia has transferred EUR 12,995,587 to the Latvian State Treasury for the payment of pensions and benefits to Russian pensioners residing in Latvia, covering the first three quarters of 2025, Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) told LETA.

According to Braze, the funds have been transferred following substantial diplomatic efforts and pressure on Russia, carried out through close cooperation between Latvian institutions.

Latvia is now awaiting updated lists of pension recipients from the Russian side, the Welfare Ministry's communications officer Egils Zarins informed LETA. According to the Latvian-Russian agreement on cooperation in social security, Russia must provide these lists to Latvia so that pensions can be paid to Russian pensioners in Latvia.

The State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA) will announce possible pension payment dates once these lists are received.

The Finance Ministry informed LETA that the State Treasury received the Russian funds Monday afternoon.

As reported, Russia had delayed the payment of pensions to its pensioners in Latvia by two quarters.

The Welfare Ministry said that it has been in contact with Russia since March 14, 2025, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the VSAA, including a request for an official explanation of the reasons for the delay in payments.

The Russian side has claimed that the money transfer is delayed by sanctions, but the Welfare Ministry stresses that there are no practical obstacles to the receipt of the money transfer on the Latvian side and that the social payments are not subject to sanctions.

LETA also reported, the State Social Insurance Agency pays Russian pensions to persons residing in Latvia who have been granted pensions in accordance with the Latvian-Russian agreement on cooperation in the field of social security.

The agreement has been in force since January 19, 2011. In the fourth quarter of last year, Russian pensions were paid to 9,700 persons in the amount of approximately EUR 3.5 million through the VSAA, the VSAA informs.

Social assistance to Russian pensioners who have not received a pension is provided by local governments. For example, in Riga, about 30,000 euros a month could have been spent, according to LETA calculations based on information provided by the Riga City Council.

According to the municipality, an average of EUR 250 per pensioner was paid out in benefits. The pensioners in question were granted the status of a low-income person, and received the benefit to ensure a guaranteed minimum level, a housing allowance and, for some, a health care allowance.