Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Tourism, Transport

"The EU has the right to ask Russia questions about its role in the Ukraine conflict, and receive answers to these questions," said Usakovs. "Sanctions, however, is not a tool to achieve anything in relations with Russia. It was clear from the very start that they will not work," he stressed.

"It is regrettable that Europe decided to follow this path," Usakovs went on. Speaking of Latvia, he said: "There is a high risk of economic trouble."

"Latvia has never been the initiator, nor the main supporter of the EU's sanctions against Russia," said Usakovs, adding that the crisis in the EU-Russia relations was hurting Latvia.

Usakovs mentioned decreasing numbers of Russian tourists traveling to Latvia and a fall in the number of residence permits issued to Russian citizens for real estate purchases in Latvia. Russia's Transneft is planning to reroute oil product shipments via Riga and Ventspils to Russian ports. "The sanctions, on the one hand, and the falling value of the ruble have badly damaged Latvia's exports to Russia," explained Usakovs.

In these circumstances, Riga City Council has nevertheless been able to maintain good relations with the Moscow government. This could become an example for the development of relations between the EU cities and Russian regions, said Usakovs. "It is clear that the crisis in the relations between Russia and the EU will be over sooner or later, but the basis, which is largely ensured by the relations between our cities, needs to be consolidated," said Riga mayor.