Latvia's government announced on March 18, 2025, it will tighten border controls with Russia and Belarus again due to security concerns over an influx of migrants orchestrated by Russia and Belarus. Border entry at key checkpoints Paternieki, Terehova, and Grebneva will be restricted to motor vehicles only, barring pedestrians and cyclists until further notice. Paternieki, the only open Latvia-Belarus crossing, was closed briefly over the prior weekend after large groups of migrants gathered, raising fears of irregular crossings. Latvia's decision responds to 'hybrid threats and migration crises' related to the actions of Russia and Belarus, who are accused of organizing detrimental migration flows targeting EU states. Latvia already closed several border checkpoints with Russia in late 2023 and built a border fence with Belarus, with plans for one on the Russian border. Frontex supports Latvian operations with 60 officers and enhanced patrol equipment. Relations are tense since Latvia supports Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Latvian Border Guard reported incidents in March involving migrants of Asian origin driven by Ukrainian nationals and detection of two Russians attempting to use forged Slovenian passports at Riga airport.

Latvia's government announced on March 18, 2025, it will tighten border controls with Russia and Belarus again due to security concerns over an influx of migrants orchestrated by Russia and Belarus. Border entry at key checkpoints Paternieki, Terehova, and Grebneva will be restricted to motor vehicles only, barring pedestrians and cyclists until further notice. Paternieki, the only open Latvia-Belarus crossing, was closed briefly over the prior weekend after large groups of migrants gathered, raising fears of irregular crossings. Latvia's decision responds to 'hybrid threats and migration crises' related to the actions of Russia and Belarus, who are accused of organizing detrimental migration flows targeting EU states. Latvia already closed several border checkpoints with Russia in late 2023 and built a border fence with Belarus, with plans for one on the Russian border. Frontex supports Latvian operations with 60 officers and enhanced patrol equipment. Relations are tense since Latvia supports Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Latvian Border Guard reported incidents in March involving migrants of Asian origin driven by Ukrainian nationals and detection of two Russians attempting to use forged Slovenian passports at Riga airport.