In an exclusive interview, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs discussed how Riga authorities combat Russian propaganda. He noted that similar to Moldova, Latvia faced a hybrid attack from the Russian Federation when it announced its intention to join the European Union. Despite significant propaganda and disinformation from pro-Russian forces, Latvian authorities have effectively protected their citizens.
During the conversation with journalist Ecaterina Covali, Rinkēvičs highlighted the changes in Moldova since 2016, when he served as foreign minister. “I believe that Latvia and Moldova face the same security challenges. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine represents a serious defiance of international law and order. As small countries, we are glad to be part of the EU and NATO. We host NATO troops in Latvia. We now allocate more funds for defense than we did a few years ago. However, we recognize that if Ukraine does not win, the situation for Latvia, Europe, and Moldova will worsen. Countries that defy international law pose a significant danger to small nations.”
Rinkēvičs stated that Latvia is under hybrid attack, which includes cyber attacks and subversive activities. “I have discussed this with the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova. We experience hybrid warfare, where migration and energy are weaponized. While I feel confident that NATO membership protects Latvia from immediate military aggression from Russia, we still contend with various forms of hybrid warfare affecting Latvia, Germany, and France. Even larger EU and NATO member states experience Russian subversive activities. We recognize the need to strengthen our military security, civil crisis management, and energy security, especially against disinformation campaigns launched by Russia and its agents.”
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The president emphasized that Latvia proactively defended its information space, restricting Russian media long before Moldova. “Before Russia attacked Ukraine in 2014 and Georgia in 2008, we experienced these media attacks during our NATO and EU accession. At that time, we primarily faced propaganda through traditional media. Now, both social and traditional media serve as platforms for Russian influence. We believe democracy has the right to self-defense. When state actors threaten democratic society, it is not about free speech or press but subversive actions. Therefore, Latvian authorities shut down many Russian information channels, especially after Russia’s large-scale aggression began on February 24, 2022.”
Rinkēvičs explained that Latvian authorities continually monitor social media and the Internet for disinformation. “If we identify websites or accounts spreading hatred or disinformation in violation of Latvian law, the responsible government agency promptly closes those media channels. I am pleased to see the European Union taking this issue seriously by imposing more sanctions against the Russian government, Russian media, and individuals involved in disinformation. Latvia firmly applies EU sanctions for these behaviors. I believe Moldova, as an EU candidate country, can adopt and implement EU sanctions, as aligning foreign policy with the EU is expected of candidate nations.”
In the interview, Rinkēvičs offered valuable advice to Moldovan authorities for successful EU accession negotiations and highlighted the importance of EU membership based on Latvia’s experience. Since joining the EU in May 2004 and the Schengen area in December 2007, Latvia has transformed into the EU’s eastern border and a busy transit point, leveraging its ice-free ports, railways, and Riga airport. The capital city serves as the political, economic, and country’s cultural center, with over a third of Latvia’s population—more than 700,000 people—living and working in Riga.
Since joining the EU, Latvia has attracted nearly €10 billion in foreign direct investment, leading to significant improvements in the lives of its citizens.