Hundreds protested Russian grain transit in the Latvian city of Jēkabpils on 7 November. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs attended and promised legislation to stop new transit contracts. Farmers and other demonstrators demanded a complete halt to grain shipments from Russia and occupied Ukrainian territory. Kulbergs sought a joint European Union approach and warned of legal and budgetary risks from unilateral action.
Hundreds of people demonstrated against Russian grain transit in Jēkabpils, a Latvian city, on 7 November. Farmers joined other protesters near railway tracks used for the shipments. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs attended and promised legislation aimed at preventing new transit contracts. Participants called for a complete halt to grain transported from Russia and occupied Ukrainian territory through Latvia.[1], [2]
Some farmers arrived with tractors, while others travelled by car from different parts of Latvia. Organisers had hoped for 2,000 participants. Gundars Kalve, the farmer and civic activist who initiated the protest, argued that transit generated income for Russia’s war. Participants interviewed at the gathering linked their objections to support for Ukraine and concerns about Latvia’s own security.[1]
Kulbergs said a unilateral Latvian ban risked lawsuits and costs for the public budget, and sought a joint European Union decision. He promised to submit the bill the following week. The prime minister also said initial results from checks on 50 consignments were expected then, to establish whether shipments contained grain from occupied Ukrainian territory. Protesters objected to narrowing the dispute to stolen grain alone.[1]
