Latest news with #BaibaBraze
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Latvia urges EU-wide halt to Russian visas over 'security concerns'
Latvia is calling on all EU member states to suspend the issuance of visas to Russian citizens, citing rising security threats from Moscow, Foreign Minister Baiba Braze announced on May 25. While some EU countries have restricted or halted visa issuance to Russian citizens, others have continued processing applications, keeping a legal pathway open for Russian travel to the bloc. "Latvia calls on the EU countries to halt visa issuance for Russian citizens, citing security concerns," Braze posted on X. She noted that the number of Schengen visas issued to Russian nationals increased by 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year. The Schengen visa allows holders to travel freely across 29 European countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, enabling short-term visits for tourism, business, or family reasons. Latvia imposed entry restrictions on Russian citizens in September 2022 as part of a joint agreement with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland. Czechia implemented similar restrictions in October 2022. Concerns over the abuse of Schengen visas and diplomatic privileges have grown amid a wave of suspected Russian sabotage and espionage on EU soil. On April 15, Polish media outlet Rzeczpospolita reported that Poland and Czechia are leading a new effort to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen zone. The initiative, reportedly first proposed in Prague in late 2023, targets individuals alleged to be operating under diplomatic cover while serving Russian military intelligence (GRU) and other security services. EU intelligence and security agencies have warned of mounting Russian sabotage operations, including several arson attacks believed to have been coordinated by Moscow. Read also: West no longer imposing range restrictions on arms for Ukraine, Germany's Merz says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Al Jazeera
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,176
Here is where things stand on Thursday, May 15: Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Putin sending a low-level delegation to Turkiye for talks was 'like a slap in the face'. NATO chief Mark Rutte said he was 'cautiously optimistic' for progress towards peace in Ukraine, but that it was up to Russia to take the 'next steps necessary'. '[If] the Russians are willing to play ball, and not only the Ukrainians are doing this … that you could get to some breakthroughs over the next couple of weeks,' he said at the NATO summit. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said they did not see any indications that Russia wants peace in Ukraine. 'Weakening Russia's military capabilities is the most direct and cheapest way… to achieve peace in Ukraine,' he told reporters in Turkiye.
Bloomberg
03-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Latvia's Braze on Tariff Response and US NATO Commitment
Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braze tells Bloomberg's Oliver Crook on the sidelines of a NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels that the US is fully committed to NATO, while Latvia is looking at the effects of new US tariffs on the Latvian economy. Braze also said Latvia is committed to spending 5% of GDP on defense. (Source: Bloomberg)
Times of Oman
19-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Raisina Dialogue 2025: Jaishankar holds key meetings with Latvia, Antigua-Barbuda, IAEA and Maldives ministers and leaders
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in multiple high-level meetings on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi. He met Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braze and appreciated her views on Ukraine and India's ties with the EU. "Glad to meet FM Baiba Braze of Latvia. Appreciate her perspectives on Ukraine developments and our ties with EU," he posted on X. Jaishankar also spoke with Antigua & Barbuda's Foreign Minister Chet Greene on health, education, sports, and capacity building. "A good conversation with FM Chet Greene of Antigua & Barbuda on #Raisina2025 sidelines. Spoke about our cooperation in health, education, sports and capacity building." He discussed nuclear safety and non-proliferation with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, stating, "Delighted to meet Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 today. Discussed nuclear safety and non-proliferation issues." In his meeting with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, he reviewed bilateral cooperation. "Glad to meet Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Khaleel of Maldives in New Delhi today. Reviewed the progress of our bilateral cooperation," he added. Earlier today, Jaishankar met Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and appreciated his assessment of peace negotiations. He also highlighted Ukraine's new Consulate General in Mumbai. He held talks with Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on digital cooperation, connectivity, food security, and BIMSTEC. "Great meeting FM @AmbPoohMaris of Thailand in New Delhi today. Had a productive exchange on our digital, connectivity and food security cooperation, as well as our BIMSTEC partnership," he shared. Jaishankar also met Peruvian Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer Salcedo to discuss strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation. They witnessed an agreement exchange between the National Archives of India and the General Archives of Peru. "A pleasure interacting with FM Elmer Schialer Salcedo of Peru today. Discussed avenues for deepening our bilateral political, economic and infrastructure cooperation, and widening our multilateral engagement. Also witnessed an exchange of agreement on information exchange and documentation between the National Archives of India and General Archives of Peru," he wrote. The Raisina Dialogue, being held in New Delhi from March 17-19, is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Washington Post
27-01-2025
- Washington Post
Sweden seizes vessel after new cable breach in Baltic Sea
BRUSSELS — Swedish authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into suspected sabotage and detained a vessel in the Baltic Sea after damage was reported to an undersea data cable between Latvia and Sweden. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said early Monday that the cable was 'significantly damaged' but that the operator was prepared, so 'we have not suffered any loss of data or transmission.'
