TL;DR
Get everyday essentials delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said the ministry had begun proceedings to declare another Russian citizen persona non grata. Latvian outlet Delfi reported that the case concerns journalist Leonid Ragozin, but the ministry did not name him in the statement cited by Meduza. The final decision and its legal consequences have not been confirmed in the report.
Latvia’s Foreign Ministry has begun proceedings to declare a Russian citizen persona non grata, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said, and Latvian outlet Delfi reported that the case concerns journalist Leonid Ragozin. The ministry’s statement, as reported by Meduza, did not identify the person, so Ragozin’s identification rests on Delfi’s reporting rather than a public naming by Braže.
Braže said the move followed consultations with Latvia’s interior minister and prime minister and was based on information from “the competent authorities.” She did not provide further details about the information or specify what stage the procedure had reached. Meduza reported the statement on October 7, 2026.
Delfi identified the person as Ragozin, a Russian journalist who has lived in Latvia since 2014. He has worked as a correspondent and producer for BBC Russia and as an editor at Russian Newsweek. In more recent years, his work has appeared with outlets and publications including Al Jazeera, Lonely Planet, Jacobin, and The American Conservative.
Latvian Internal Affairs Minister Jānis Dombrava had called for action against Ragozin in September 2026. According to Meduza, Dombrava said the journalist’s statements contradicted Latvia’s interests and cited Ragozin’s arguments that sanctions against Russia were ineffective and that Western governments bore responsibility for Moscow’s aggressive actions. These are Dombrava’s characterizations of Ragozin’s views, not findings set out in Braže’s announcement.
Possible Entry Ban for Ragozin
A persona non grata designation can restrict a person’s ability to enter or remain in Latvia. If the reported case does concern Ragozin and the process results in a designation, it could affect a journalist who has lived in the country for more than a decade and works across international publications. The immediate consequence is not yet established: the source report does not say whether a decision has been finalized or what specific restrictions would apply.
The case also puts scrutiny on how Latvia responds to public statements about Russia’s war against Ukraine and Western policy. Dombrava’s call links the proposed measure to Ragozin’s commentary on sanctions and the conflict. The reporting does not establish that the measure has been imposed because of any single article, nor does it provide a full account of the government’s stated grounds.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Latvia’s Recent Exclusion Cases
Latvia has used persona non grata designations against Russian citizens repeatedly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Meduza reported that, in 2022, Latvia’s Foreign Ministry added Russians to the list on four occasions, naming 167 people in total. Those figures refer to that year and do not describe the current process or its outcome.
Among people previously declared undesirable by Latvia were Russian television hosts Yekaterina Andreeva, Tina Kandelaki, and Dmitry Gubernyev. In another 2022 case, the country barred TV Rain journalist Alexey Korostelev after remarks concerning mobilized Russians. Latvia also revoked TV Rain’s broadcast license; a court later overturned that decision. Those cases provide policy context, but they do not establish what legal or administrative steps will be taken in Ragozin’s reported case.
““from the competent authorities.””
— Baiba Braže, as reported by Meduza
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Identity and Decision Still Pending
The key distinction is between the ministry’s confirmed announcement of a process and Delfi’s identification of Ragozin as the person involved. Braže did not name him in the statement cited by Meduza. The report does not include a direct confirmation from the Foreign Ministry that Ragozin is the subject.
It is also unclear whether Latvia has made a final designation, what evidence the competent authorities provided, or what legal grounds the ministry would rely on. The reporting does not specify whether the measure would bar Ragozin from entering Latvia, require him to leave, or carry another consequence. No response from Ragozin is included in the source material.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Awaiting Latvia’s Formal Notice
The next development to watch is whether the Foreign Ministry publicly names the person and confirms a final decision. An official notice could clarify the government’s reasons, the legal basis, and any restrictions or appeal options. Until then, the reported connection to Ragozin should be attributed to Delfi, while the ministry’s stated position is that a process concerning an unnamed Russian citizen has begun.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
Has Latvia confirmed that Leonid Ragozin is the person involved?
Not in the statement reported by Meduza. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže referred to “another Russian citizen” without naming him. Delfi reported that the case concerns Ragozin.
Has Ragozin been formally declared persona non grata?
The report says the Foreign Ministry has begun the process. It does not confirm that a final designation has been made.
Why did a Latvian minister call for action against him?
Internal Affairs Minister Jānis Dombrava said in September that Ragozin’s statements contradicted Latvia’s interests. Meduza reported that Dombrava cited Ragozin’s views on sanctions against Russia and Western responsibility for Moscow’s actions.
What could a persona non grata designation mean for Ragozin?
It may restrict his ability to enter or remain in Latvia, but the report does not specify what measures would apply in this case. The final decision and its legal effects remain unknown.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
