Russian pressure will not change Latvia's and Estonia's support for Ukraine - minister

RIGA - Russian pressure will not change Latvia’s and Estonia’s support for Ukraine, Latvian Minister of Justice Edvards Smiltens (United List) said during a meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.

As the Ministry of Justice (TM) informed LETA that the Estonian Security Service has concluded that Russian special services ordered the arson attack on the premises of the company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn this past August. The suspects have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. Estonia views this attack as part of broader Russian efforts to intimidate countries that support Ukraine.

Smiltens notes that Russian pressure is not limited to physical attacks; Russia also spreads unfounded claims about violations of the rights of Russian-speaking residents in the Baltic states and attempts to use the threat of legal action and distorted legal arguments to exert political pressure.

Smiltens pointed out that Russia is attempting to influence government decisions, but Latvia is preparing for such potential threats.

Similarly, Latvia and Estonia will become more actively involved in negotiations with the Netherlands and the Council of Europe (CoE) regarding the launch of the tribunal, paying particular attention to its costs and stable funding, Smiltens promised. The Netherlands has offered The Hague as the tribunal’s seat, while the CoE is carrying out preparatory work for its establishment.

The Ministry of Justice explained that, alongside the tribunal, a mechanism must also be established to allow for the adjudication of claims regarding damages caused by Russian aggression and to determine fair compensation for the victims. Latvia has already ratified the convention on the establishment of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine.