“Our country's economy, exports continue to develop, we need to continue the transition away from Russia, now it has to be completed. There is no hope of economic cooperation with Russia in the future,” Kariņš said.
Latvia is currently heavily dependent on Russian energy imports, but it can be changed. “Everything can be done if [we] want, it just costs money. But we will be able to make money in the future. We're doing and will do everything to reduce this [dependency]. And do so as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister said.
Asked about the impact of inflation on Latvian society and the economy, the Prime Minister said that in view of the current events in Ukraine, price increases are understandable.
“There's a war going on in Ukraine, people are dying there, our consequences are simply that everything costs more. This is nothing compared to what is happening in Ukraine. To think there can be a war nearby and there will be no effect, is futile,” said Kariņš.