Minsk bans imports of food and industrial goods from Latvia

October 19, Pozirk. The Belarusian government has announced a ban on the import of “certain goods” from Latvia into Belarus, citing Riga’s “continued unconstructive approach and unfriendly rhetoric.”

The ban covers a wide range of products, including canned fish and various types of industrial goods, it said, but did not disclose the exact positions from the blacklist.

The move comes a few days after Alaksandar Łukašenka shifted the blame to Latvia for the early October standoff between armed human traffickers and Latvian border guards.

Earlier, Latvia’s Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava accused Belarus of staging a “demonstrative and aggressive provocation” on the shared border in a post on X after border guards did not allow a group of 20 undocumented foreigners to cross irregularly into Latvia.

Armed escorts of the group threatened Latvian soldiers from the Belarusian side and pressured undocumented foreigners to cross the border, he said. Several hours after that conflict, masked people entered Latvian territory, damaged a relay cabinet and stole surveillance cameras before retreating to Belarus, Dombrava said.

Authorities in Minsk “should understand that such incidents could lead to more serious consequences for Belarus,” he stressed.

Politics Security

Politics, Security

Łukašenka shifts blame for armed border standoff to Latvia

October 13, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has denied Minsk’s involvement in the early October standoff between armed human traffickers and Latvian border guards, claiming that Latvia staged it as he addressed senior security officials in Minsk. “We know perfectly well, and …

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