Latvia faces increased migratory pressure from Belarus; Lithuania proposes border controls (osw.waw.pl)

• Lithuanian interior minister proposes temporary border controls with Latvia
• Secondary migration from Latvia quadruples to 1,200 cases in first half of 2026
• Latvia prevents 8,000 illegal crossing attempts by mid-July 2026
• Latvian border infrastructure incomplete; border guard understaffed
• Belarus and Russia continue hybrid migration operation

"On 13 July, Lithuania’s interior minister proposed temporary controls at the border with Latvia after secondary migration from Latvia rose fourfold to 1,200 cases in the first half of 2026. Migratory pressure at the Latvia–Belarus border continues; around 8,000 illegal crossing attempts were recorded by mid-July 2026. Latvia remains the most vulnerable EU member bordering Belarus due to incomplete border infrastructure and manpower shortages."