Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

• Latvia will not respond to the statements made a representative of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign regarding attacks on Russian language and Russophobia in Baltic States
• Neatkariga interviews political scientist Ilze Ostrovska about geopolitical changes

Commenting recent statements made by a representative of the Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Russia will not tolerate attacks on Russian language and Russophobia in Baltic States including Latvia, a representative of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that such statement cannot be viewed as a personal opinion of a state official but it is official Russia’s position. However, the Ministry is not planning to respond on such provocative statement. According to the representative of the Ministry, by accusing other countries Russia’s officials try to hide unsatisfactory human rights situation in own country, to suppress criticism of international society towards Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and to hinder integration process in Latvia. Diena

Neatkariga interviews political scientist Ilze Ostrovska about geopolitical changes. According to her, the worst developments that can happen in Latvia is that after next 4-6 years, Latvia might receive is a proposal to establish a government of so-called pro-Russian parties in exchange for not being occupied. Mrs Ostrovska also believes that Russian will propose Latvia to join the Eurasian Union promising cheep oil and gas and such proposal will be hard to resist. Thus Latvia might take fatal errors. The only factor able to stop such developments is insight of politically active ethnic non-Latvians and Latvians that only occupants would benefit from the occupation.