Latvia declares Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin persona non grata

Latvia: Latvia is a Baltic state and member of the European Union and NATO with a history of prioritizing national security in relations with Russia. The country has initiated processes to declare individuals persona non grata based on assessments from security authorities. In this case, Latvia notified Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin of his expulsion and persona non grata status following controversy over his public comments on the war in Ukraine. Leonid Ragozin: Leonid Ragozin is a Russian journalist and former producer for BBC Russia who has contributed to outlets including Politico, Bloomberg, and Al Jazeera. He has lived in Latvia for over a decade and has written critically on topics including Ukrainian politics and Western policies. The Latvian government declared him persona non grata due to statements deemed controversial in the context of the Ukraine conflict. Regional Stance: Latvian officials continue to emphasize support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia as central to their foreign policy amid the ongoing conflict. Press Environment: The decision against Ragozin has drawn attention from international media and raised questions about journalistic freedoms for critics of official policies on Ukraine. Diplomatic Measures: Latvia has used the persona non grata designation for Russian nationals in cases involving perceived threats to national security or alignment with Kremlin narratives.