Belarus bars entry to some goods from Latvia

Belarus Imposes Ban on Entry of Select Latvian Goods Over Diplomatic Dispute

Overview of Belarus-Latvia Trade Restrictions and Diplomatic Tensions

Announcement of Goods Ban

Oct 19 (Reuters) - Belarus, one of Russia's closest allies, said on Monday it was barring the entry of a number of goods from neighbouring Latvia because of the Baltic state's "unfriendly" relations.

Belarus's government had slapped the ban on a range of products including canned fish and various industrial goods, state news agency Belta said.

Government's Rationale

"This decision was taken in connection with the Latvian side maintaining an unconstructive approach and unfriendly rhetoric in relation to Belarus," Belta quoted the government decision as saying.

Background of Belarus-Latvia Relations

Border Closures and Migration Issues

Latvia closed its border with Belarus in July.

Like Belarus's other neighbours, Latvia has encountered difficulties with Minsk over mass attempts by migrants to cross the Belarusian border into the European Union.

Belarus denies colluding or encouraging migrants from other countries to attempt to cross its borders into the EU.

Political Context

Leadership and International Relations

Led by President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994, Belarus has long been accused of human rights abuses subject to Western sanctions. Lukashenko allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory to help launch the 2022 invasion of Ukraine but has declined to commit his country's forces to the conflict.

(Reporting by Ronald Popeski; Editing by Stephen Coates)