Latvia consistently tightens the course towards Russia and the Russian-speaking population. The authorities have late ordered 841 Russian citizens to leave the country until October 13 due to the fact that they have not demonstrated cognition of Latvian and have not undergone mandatory safety checks.
The war in Ukraine became a convenient pretext for introducing fresh restrictions. Latvia then imposed stricter rules on Russian citizens wishing to stay in that country. These included, among another things, the request to apply for EU long-term resident status, the request for a affirmative safety check and the work to paper Latvian cognition at a reasonably basic level of A2.
Paradoxically, the latter, it would seem the simplest requirement, aroused the top emotions. This is due to the fact that the Russian language in Latvia is simply the second language, utilized regular by a large part, or possibly most of the population.
According to authoritative statistic from 2024, the population of Latvia identifies as cultural Latvian (63%), Russians (23%), Ukrainians (3%), Belarusians (3%), and Poles (2%). However, according to another statistic from the year 2022, 62% of the Latvian population spoke Latvian at home and 35% spoke Russian. It can so be assumed that for cultural groups outside Latvian Russian is the primary language.
So many authoritative statistics. Walking down the streets of Riga or Jurmals, it is hard not to get the impression that you are... in Russia. Russian is heard virtually everywhere, which is simply a clear contrast to the occasional catch of Latvian. Besides, cultural Latvians with us – visitors communicate mainly in English. From our hotel under the Blackhead home we are transported by Latvian driver Dmitris. He greets us with a correct but characteristic east song, English. However, a fewer loosely cast Russian words are adequate for Dimitras to prove to be Dmitri, a local Russian. We're asking if he came from Russia. He laughs and says he's local. Like his father, grandpa and great-grandfather.
The Latvian nationalists falsely claim that the current cultural and linguistic composition of the country is simply a direct consequence of the “Soviet occupation” and its migration and assimilation policies. Before the russian period, in 1935 the Latvians reportedly accounted for 77% of the population, while the Russians only 9%. Meanwhile, Russian presence in these areas dates back to the second half of the 18th century when, as a consequence of the fall of the Republic, these lands became part of the Romanov empire. The maintenance of Latvian cultural identity and linguistic distinctness after years of Polish, Swedish and Russian dominance is respectful. However, the effort to impose this identity and language on the non-Latvian citizens of Latvia is rather the opposite.
Today’s harassment mainly affects older people. erstwhile citizens of the russian Union (mostly those over the age of 60) who arrived in Latvia in russian times and after Latvia regained their independence, they resigned their Latvian passport but accepted Russian citizenship. They have lived in Latvia for decades, with a permanent residence permit. They don't usually talk Latvian and are not curious in Latvian culture. Like at least 1/3 of the country's citizens. Even if they wanted to apply for a Latvian passport, they don't have that chance. Latvians must not have double Russian citizenship.
"I didn't attend the courses due to the fact that I just didn't have the money," said a Russian-speaking female in a conversation with Current Time in front of the examination center. "I receive a pension of EUR 340 all 3 months. They sent me a card from Riga saying that I had to pay 70 euros for it."
Is a fistful of old people who cannot handle a simple language exam a real threat to Latvia's national security? – the answer to that question is obvious. most likely for the Latvians themselves, too. Sometimes, however, fear and sick - understood nationalism make people blind. Even for the obvious.
Przemysław Piasta
Przemyśl Polska, nr 43-44 (26/10-2.11.2025)
