{"id":124917,"date":"2025-02-04T21:41:34","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T18:41:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/124917\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"latvian-defense-minister-urges-citizens-not-to-travel-to-belarus-russia","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/124917\/","title":{"rendered":"Latvian defense minister urges citizens not to travel to Belarus, Russia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Latvian-Belarusian border\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Latvijas valsts kanceleja)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

February 4, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Only “minimal contacts at the individual and state level” should be maintained with aggressors, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spr\u016bds said on TV3<\/em>, according to Delfi<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our ties have not been completely severed, but the risks should be recognized and discussed, and people should heed the calls not to travel to Russia or Belarus,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government must reach out to travelers and explain the possible consequences, he said. According to the State Security Service (VDD), Belarusian agents work closely with the Russian intelligence agencies that will not stop their “destructive activities” against Latvia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riga sees Russian sabotage as a particular threat. It “can be used as part of the hybrid war to destabilize our internal security, destroy our infrastructure and create an atmosphere of fear.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier, VDD advised citizens against traveling to aggressor countries. Belarusian and Russian secret services are allegedly trying to recruit Latvians on their territory, showing particular interest in officials who have access to state secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In October 2024, the Latvian foreign ministry reported that 26 Latvian citizens had been arrested in Belarus. According to Belarusian border guards, 972 nationals and residents of Latvia visited the country from January 27 to February 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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