Kiev blocks Russian networks
Ukraine has blocked access to several Russian websites including the social network VKontakte, which according to its own figures has 15 million Ukrainian users. With this move Kiev aims to extend the sanctions imposed on Russia over the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Latvian papers take a look at the consequences.
All bridges are being burned
The end of the once close ties between Russia and Ukraine is close, Diena fears:
“All ties between Russia and Ukraine are gradually being destroyed, and the home stretch is fast approaching. This time neither financial nor other losses are playing a significant role; far more important is the question of the two countries' dealings with each other. For the moment there are still only two areas that bind them and in which no serious legal limitations have been introduced: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is still under the auspices of the Moscow Patriarch, and three million guest workers with Ukrainian passports still live in Russia.”
Ukraine fighting for its existence
Latvijas Avize is reminded of Latvia's own history:
“Ukraine is trying to do what Latvia couldn't quite pull off in the 1990s: distance itself from Russia as much as it can so as to limit any form of dependency or influence. Such influence wasn't quite as dangerous for Latvia as it is for Ukraine, where it's a question of life or death. Because the ruling elite in Moscow believes Ukraine is still part of Russia, and that it will remain so. For that reason they are trying, to the extent they can, to change the population's habits through the Internet and television.”