(Riga) Latvia is a small Baltic nation which has been occupied by Russia for around 174 years (1795–1917 , 1940-41 and 1944-1991) as such it has a large Russian minority (Around a quarter of the population around 1/2 million) and up to now they have been allowed to run around speaking Russian. However as of next year all children between the ages of 16 and 18 will only be taught in Latvian, this is part of an aim in which to unify the country and have have everybody singing off the same song sheet and guess what Russia isn't happy.
The Russian parliament have called it a violation of internationally recognised rights and have stated they will place sanctions on Latvia which could include restrictions on trade and financial operations, a boycott of some goods and measures targeting individual Latvian politicians.
Bilingual or Russian-only teaching will continue for younger
children whose mother tongue is Russian.
