Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has become a kind of test of loyalty to Latvia for Latvian cultural and sports stars. Those who have “flirted” or even collaborated with Russia have fallen out of favor. At present, like the whole society, emotions have calmed down, but somewhere, subconsciously, the war is still omnipresent.
After Russia's attack, most Latvians showed solidarity with Ukraine
A few days after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Latvia held what was arguably the largest demonstration since regaining independence in 1991. Approximately 30,000 people took to the streets to support Ukraine. The public was shocked, and cultural and sports stars did not stand aside. For example, the well-known Latvian director and actor Intars Rešetins traveled to help refugees, leading them from Ukraine to Latvia. Meanwhile, in Riga, opposite the Russian embassy, a concert in support of Ukraine was held. Many local stars participated in it. An identical event was held in 2023, as well. Singer Ralfs Eilands explained that war is still ongoing and the world must continue to support Ukraine “morally and financially”.
The sports community was not left behind either. For example, young Ukrainian hockey players moved to the Latvian cities of Valmiera and Daugavpils. With the personal support of the head coach of the Ukrainian national basketball team at that time, a Latvian specialist, Ainārs Bagatskis, the Ukrainian men's national team played its home games in Riga. Sports stars were the most down-to-earth in their statements. Sometimes, there were even accusations about why Latvian athletes were so quiet. Two of the few who clearly expressed their attitude were Latvian football team forward Roberts Uldriķis and basketball team player Dāvis Bertāns, then a player for the NBA club Dallas “Mavericks”. “Since childhood, I have heard stories from my grandparents and parents, seen films and read articles about how Latvia fared during World War II and as part of the USSR. I think I will never experience anything like this in my lifetime,” wrote Uldriķis on Facebook. "If Russian troops move towards Europe, the Baltic states are the first target. We must be ready,” said a Latvian basketball player after one of the regular games in the NBA.
Sports journalist Ilmārs Stūriška told Veridica that sportsmen support Ukraine more than their public position suggests. “They have never commented on the politics. Why are they supposed to do it now?” demands journalist. Athletes have little authority on matters outside of sports, and it is rare for any of them to speak out on politics or other topics. Even if they are asked, they are reluctant to talk, says Stuřiška. However, some of them, by threatening not to participate in the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, did not hide their attitude. When the Olympic Games started, beach volleyball player Tīna Graudiņa wore ribbons in Ukraine’s colours, while basketball player Dāvis Rozītis completed the Latvian Army reservist courses. Some athletes, according to the rumors, are pro-Kremlin, but nobody knows how many, says Stūriška. “As in the society in general, this is not a small number. It is clear that we speak about the Russian-speaking part,” he adds.
Supporting Russia may cost some their career
Although Latvian cultural and sports figures do not openly express support for Russia, some have not avoided cooperation with Russia or tried to take a neutral position. In both cases, these people had to reckon with the condemnation of society (the pro-Ukrainian part of society) at the very least. Sometimes the consequences were more serious – exclusion from the national team or possible expulsion from a sports organization. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is considered an existential threat in Latvia, the attitude towards those who think differently is harsh.
In December 2024, it became known that two Latvian translators, writers and poets – Vija Laganovska and Sergejs Moreino – had participated in a Russian government-sponsored congress in Moscow called "Literary Translation as a Means of Cultural Diplomacy”. “They will likely be forced to leave the Latvian Writers’ Union,” the head of the union and writer Arno Jundze told “Veridica”.
The ripples in the sports community have been wider. The once popular and world-renowned boxer Mairis Briedis announced at the beginning of the invasion in 2022 that he would not take sides. Later, he went to Ukraine, where he met with another famous ex-boxer and now mayor of Kyiv, Vitaly Klitschko. However, the athlete, whose slogan once was “My people - my gold”, never regained his reputation. Also, two national teams’ ice hockey players decided to play for Russian clubs. The cost of this step – irreversible withdrawal from the national team. Also, Latvian U-21 national team footballer Glebs Žaleiko, in 2024, defended his mother, who argued with fans who shouted the popular and slogan “Putin huilo!”. Žaleiko’s mother reminded the fans that Putin’s tanks could also enter Latvia. This scandal cost the footballer a lot, and as late as 2025, he continued to affirm that he condemned Putin and Russia.
Similar incidents have occurred with several other former or current athletes and coaches. The outcome was at least a significant blow to their reputation. There are also awkward moments in the tense atmosphere. Perhaps the most famous Latvian athlete in the world, Kristaps Porziņģis, who plays for the NBA club, when asked about Ukraine, replied that “I need to study a little more”. The basketball player, whose loyalty to Latvia has never been in doubt, corrected the moment on the same day and wrote on social networks that “I expressed myself poorly, but it is clear that my position is against Russia’s actions.”
Should Latvians participate in cultural or sport events that feature (pro)Russians?
Though the story “Latvia, Russia, culture and sports” is not finished yet. Writer Maija Pohodņeva still makes candles for the trenches, while Ukrainian writers in the Latvian city of Ventspils have been provided with the opportunity to continue their literary work. "This way we can help them daily,” Arno Jundze points out. After World War II, Latvian writers worked in unskilled jobs in the West, but today Ukrainians should not suffer a similar fate, he explains. Some Latvian writers have started writing about the war, but some are considering whether it is even worth doing anything, because “one day a bomb could be dropped on your head too.” Jundze admits that he doesn’t know the feelings of Latvian Russian-language writers. As translators, they have nothing to do because Russian culture is currently excluded, and they have also stepped aside. But there is no solution. “The war is ongoing. How can I love a Russian culture? How can I love something that threatens me to kill?” he is asking rhetorically and admits that there could also be pro-Kremlin writers, however, nobody said it openly.
This summer, Serbian pro-Kremlin musician Goran Bregovic will perform in Latvia. “Sometimes someone's conscience lets him invite Goran Bregović to Jūrmala [Latvian city],” smiles sadly Jundze. He admits that, unlike the last years of the Soviet occupation, cultural figures in Latvia today have no authority. They are when there are crises. Now, the situation is unclear, says Jundze.
The sports community faces an even greater challenge. Latvia will host the European Futsal Championship, in which Belarus will participate. However, the Latvian Sports Law prohibits Latvian teams from playing with athletes from Russia and Belarus. The Latvian Football Federation does not yet know the solution and will consult with the Latvian government. The Latvian hockey team may find itself in an even more painful situation. Last year, it won the right to play in the Olympic hockey tournament in 2026. There is increasing talk that the Russian team could also participate. Both teams would be in the same group, which means that the game between the two would be inevitable. Hockey team captain Kaspars Daugaviņš admits that “as long as the war continues, we [hockey players] hope that Russia will not be allowed to play.” He believes that the decision should be made by the Latvian government, not the athletes.
Last year, the Latvian sports community debated whether to participate in the Paris Olympics even if Russian athletes participated as neutrals, not under their country’s banner. Since Ukraine decided to participate, Latvia followed suit. However, this time, the Ukrainian futsal players will not play in Riga and the hockey players did not qualify for the Olympic tournament. Thus, Latvia will not have a chance to rely on the Ukrainian decision.
