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FIU explains: Latvia's national sanctions and their practical impact
16.09.2025.

From September 13, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers' regulation will enter into force, which determine the framework of Latvia's national sanctions regime and define the criteria on the basis of which it is possible to impose national sanctions on specific individuals and legal entities related to the Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) invites you to familiarize yourself with the information on what these regulations provide for and how they will be applied in practice.

Within the framework of the national sanctions of the Republic of Latvia, the government may impose financial and entry restrictions provided for in the Law on International and National Sanctions of the Republic of Latvia against entities that are not subject to international sanctions and that meet the specific criteria. For example, the aforementioned restrictions may be imposed against entities that are influential businessmen operating in the Russian Federation, or against individuals and legal entities operating in economic sectors that provide a significant source of income for the Russian Federation.

The FIU explains that the Latvian national financial sanctions framework is essentially in line with the targeted financial sanctions imposed by the European Union. This means that when imposing national financial sanctions, the funds and any other economic resources of a person are frozen, as well as a prohibition is imposed on making funds or economic resources available. This essentially means that it is prohibited to directly or indirectly carry out any transactions with persons subject to financial sanctions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia explains that, as the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine continues, it is necessary to promote the effectiveness of Latvia's sanctions policy and to provide for the possibility of imposing national sanctions against entities that are directly or indirectly involved or have been involved in supporting the Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine and cause or may cause harm to Latvia's national security.

The FIU reminds that every person has an obligation to immediately report to the FIU about the implementation of international and national sanctions, including any freezing of funds or economic resources. This means that if a person is included in the Latvian national sanctions list and their funds or economic resources are frozen, the FIU must be immediately informed about this. More information about reporting obligations is available in the section “Information to be submitted to the FIU”.

On September 12, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the Cabinet Regulations “Regulations on the Determination of National Sanctions of the Republic of Latvia against Entities Related to the Military Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” (available in Latvian language) at an extraordinary meeting . This is an additional instrument with which, in the current geopolitical situation, it is possible to respond to threats to Latvia's national security caused by Russian aggression. The Regulations entered into force on September 13, 2025. They also provide for exceptional cases in the implementation of sanctions, when the FIU may make a decision on the application of exceptions, i.e. a decision on the issuance of a permit. At the same time, we inform you that on September 12, 2025, the Council of the European Union unanimously decided to extend until March 15, 2026 the restrictive measures directed against persons responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Sanctions lists and other useful information available on the FIU website .

Since April 2024, the FIU has been the national competent authority for sanctions enforcement issues in Latvia.

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15.10.2026 08:00
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