The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Maria Zakharova, characterized Latvia’s plan to expel Russian citizens as a crime. This stance was reported by the official site of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She noted that authorities are monitoring the situation amid reports of a rising risk of mass deportations in the near term. The group most affected would be Russian citizens who are older, many of whom struggle to pass the Latvian language test required to renew residence permits under recently tightened local laws and immigration rules.
According to representatives from the Russian Foreign Ministry, a significant share of those at risk are in the 60 to 70-year-old range, with some individuals living with disabilities. While these citizens have regularly paid taxes and often have no connections in Latvia, they could be deported to Russia. Zakharova drew a parallel between this scenario and historical persecutions, describing it as an act comparable to Nazi-era persecution.
Earlier statements suggested that consular registration for Russian citizens residing abroad would become mandatory, a move that would affect many who live outside Russia but maintain official ties.
Historically, officials in the Russian Foreign Ministry have compared Latvia’s deportation plans to fascist actions, reinforcing fears about the treatment of elderly and vulnerable citizens who hold Russian nationality.