The Parliament of Latvia today finally passed amendments requiring a Latvian language exam for Russian citizens to maintain residency rights in the country, according to Delfi.
The requirements of the previous amendments applied only to Russian citizens who received permanent residence permits under the immigration law that came into force in May 2003. It was about a little more than 25 thousand people.
Russian citizens who obtained a permanent residence permit under the law On the Entry and Stay in the Republic of Latvia of Foreigners and Stateless Persons, which expired in 2003, were not affected by these rules, so the parliament decided to correct this ambiguity.
According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, there were 4,949 such Russian citizens in the country as of January this year. People over 75 years old, like the previous group of Russian citizens, will be exempted from taking the state language exam. The Constitutional Court noted on February 15 this year that these individuals had preferential status compared to those Russian citizens who are required to take the state language exam.
Latvia's attitude toward Russia amid the war
Latvia has strongly condemned Russia for its aggression against Ukraine and has been constantly calling for a stronger sanctions regime against the Kremlin.
Recently, Latvian Ambassador to Ukraine Ilgvars Klava said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that the country is not fully prepared for the risk of a Russian invasion, but as a NATO member, Latvia is militarily secured as never before.