Latvian former president Valdis Zatlers calls Pyotr Avena's silence on Russia's invasion 'understandable,' sparking criticism amid political tensions over citizenship review.

On November 27, 2025, Latvian ex-president Valdis Zatlers described billionaire Pyotr Avena's silence about Russia's violent invasion of Ukraine as 'humanly understandable.' He warned that Avena, holding Latvian and Russian dual citizenship, must speak carefully on this sensitive topic to avoid being branded a traitor by Russia. Simultaneously, a figure named Valdis allegedly continues to promote pro-Putin narratives in the media without receiving the level of criticism faced by a political party that submitted a request to the Ministry of the Interior to reassess Avena's citizenship. This request was rejected by the governing coalition, reflecting ongoing tensions regarding loyalty, citizenship, and political subversion in Latvia.