Latvian Interior Minister says it is possible to close the border with Russia in a few hours

Latvian residents should refuse to travel to Russia, the Baltic republic may close the border between the countries within a few hours. This was stated by the head of the Latvian Interior Ministry Rihards Kozlovskis on February 10.

"I understand that people have relatives there, business, but such trips should be reduced to a minimum. <...> We can close the border within not even [a few] days, but hours," Kozlovskis said, his words quoted by Latvian state radio portal LSM.

He specified that the closure of the border is allegedly possible in case of some aggravation of the situation, but did not specify this statement, reports "Gazeta.Ru".

Builders of the Iron Curtain: The Baltics are shutting themselves off from Russia

Local authorities scare the population with bans and warnings

Earlier, on January 18, the head of the Estonian Interior Ministry Lauri Läänemets said that the Baltic republic has a plan in case of border closure with Russia. At the same time, Tallinn considers this step unreasonable, because it realizes that it will lead to high costs for society.

In addition, on January 17, the Latvian parliament introduced a bill tightening the rules for citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries entering the country. In particular, the initiative provides for fines of up to €2 thousand for refusal to provide necessary information about themselves. The Estonian Interior Ministry said that the republic has no plans to adopt similar legislative initiatives.

In September 2022, the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) and Poland closed entry to the Schengen zone for Russians if they travel for tourist, cultural, sports and business purposes.