Latvia

Smart Regions

Līvāni: the fibre-optic capital of Latvia

In partnership with the European Commission

Latvia is focusing on a technological niche: fibre optics. It exports more than 90% of its production. This versatile technology, made from synthetic quartz, is flexible and capable of transmitting ultraviolet and infrared rays.

28/09/2026

The Europe Conversation

EU finally taking heed of Baltic warnings over Russia, Latvian PM says

The Latvian PM noted that the Baltics' sense of foreboding over Russian attacks on the EU come from their occupation. "We know the tricks; we knew the bully would show its muscles."

14/09/2026

Europe Today

Welcome to the Baltic military-industrial complex

Good morning. Angela Skujins penning this Friday newsletter from the bitter Baltics, where I’ve just spent the last few days immersed in beetroot soup, battlefield tactics and the scintillating spirit of the rīdzinieki, aka Rigan people.

12/09/2026

Europe Today

Budanov: Europe is finally waking up to Russia’s hybrid warfare

Kyrylo Budanov tells Euronews that Europe is finally recognising Russia’s hybrid warfare threat beyond the Baltics, offering Ukraine’s military experience to counter Moscow. "If you don't want to deal with Russia — deal with us."

11/09/2026

Europe

Latvia bans Russian and Belarusian books

Latvia has become the first European country to ban imports of Russian consumer goods including books and print media, framing the move as a defense against Kremlin disinformation and hybrid warfare.

07/09/2026

The Cube

Fake Euronews video invents deadly shooting at NATO exercise

A fabricated report has used Euronews' visual likeness to falsely claim a Ukrainian soldier killed three NATO servicemen during a military exercise in Latvia.

07/09/2026

Europe

Latvia uncovers border tunnel, intercepts 28 migrants from Belarus

Latvia has been experiencing a rise in irregular migration in recent months, something that European leaders call a hybrid attack by Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s regime

21/08/2026

Europe

The border frontline: Latvia faces migrants, drones and war fears

Latvia, on the European Union and NATO’s eastern frontier, is stepping up border security as it faces renewed pressure from irregular migration, drone incursions and the growing threat posed by Russia and Belarus.

19/08/2026

Europe

NATO Baltic Air Policing jets shoot down drone over Latvia

"As long as Russia's aggression in Ukraine continues, a recurrence of cases where foreign drones enter or approach Latvian airspace is possible," the Latvian military said.

14/08/2026

Europe

Latvia steps up border security amid surge in migration from Belarus

The Latvian government says the increase in irregular migration represents a hybrid threat orchestrated by Russia and Belarus.

11/08/2026

Europe

Russian drone shot down in eastern Latvia, confirms top politician

Europe has been on high alert for weeks after a string of drone flyovers into NATO airspace, prompting leaders to agree to develop a "drone wall" to better detect and intercept drones violating airspace.

08/06/2026

Europe Today

Ex-defence minister admits Latvia faces security 'questions'

Latvia faces political turmoil after its prime minister resigned and the defence minister stood down, raising concerns about the country’s readiness to counter potential Russian aggression on Europe’s frontline.

14/05/2026

Europe

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announces shock resignation

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced on Thursday she will resign, triggering the collapse of the country's governing coalition ahead of key October parliamentary elections. On top of this, two senior Latvian politicians have been detained during a corruption investigation.

14/05/2026

Europe

Latvian defence minister resigns following recent drone incursions

Several drones from Russia and Ukraine have crashed in the Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

11/05/2026

Europe

Two drones from Russia crash in Latvia, army says

Europe is on high alert after drone flyovers into NATO airspace reached an unprecedented scale last September, prompting leaders to agree to develop a "drone wall."

07/05/2026

Europe Today

US-Denmark tensions over Greenland 'not the end' of NATO, Sprūds says

In an interview Euronews' flagship show Europe Today, Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds sought to dispel concerns the NATO military alliance is in crisis over Greenland, saying he would "not over-dramatise" the situation.

16/01/2026

Latvia

Mass protest against Latvia's potential exit from Istanbul Convention

Signed by 45 countries and the European Union as of 2019, the Council of Europe treaty is meant to standardise support for women who are victims of violence, including domestic abuse.

06/11/2025

Latvia

Latvia's president asks parliament to rethink Istanbul Conventon exit

The country's parliament, or Saeima, voted on 31 October to withdraw from the human rights treaty which opposes violence against women and domestic violence.

03/11/2025

Latvia

Latvian parliament votes to exit Istanbul Convention on women's rights

The Latvian parliament decided to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention after a heated 13-hour debate, potentially making Latvia the first EU state to renounce it.

31/10/2025

Latvia

Latvian police bust European cybercrime ring and arrest seven suspects

The network, dismantled in an operation on 10 October, is accused of scamming thousands across Europe out of nearly €5 million.

17/10/2025

Latvia

Drone and missile debris found in Latvia and Poland, officials say

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina has instructed the defence and interior ministries to coordinate with Poland to establish whether the drone is one of those detected last week.

19/09/2025

No Comment

New Hemingway-inspired mural unveiled in Latvian port city

In the Latvian port city of Liepaja, French artist Mathieu Kroyal, known as Aero, has completed the city’s largest mural to date in just nine days.

01/08/2025

Europeans' Stories

Latvia: Shooting training at schools and dragon teeth at the border

To protect themselves from unpleasant surprises, Poland and the Baltic states are fortifying their EU external border with tank barriers and minefields. And Latvia has introduced “military lessons” as a compulsory subject in schools.

28/05/2025

Latvia

'Lost tourists' in the forest might be Russian spies, Latvia warns

In its annual report, Latvia’s security services said Russian intelligence and security services pose the "main threat" to its national security.

15/05/2025

Cinema

Latvia celebrates first ever Oscar win with animated feature 'Flow'

Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis made history at the 97th Academy Awards, with his wordless animated feature 'Flow' winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. This marks Latvia’s first-ever Oscar win.

03/03/2025

Cinema

Boost for Latvian animation funding amidst Oscars buzz for 'Flow'

Following the triumph of 'Flow' at the Golden Globes and ahead of the Oscars on Sunday – where Gints Zilbalodis’s film is up for both Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature – Latvia is leaning in with a boost in national funding to fuel future animation success.

28/02/2025