Strangers Next Door: Belarus and Belarusians in Latvian Public Opinion

The study analyses attitudes among Latvian residents towards Belarus, Belarusian citizens, labour migration, the Belarusian political regime, security issues, and foreign policy. Particular attention is paid to how Latvian society distinguishes between attitudes towards Belarusians as people and perceptions of the Belarusian state and its policies.

The findings show that attitudes towards Belarusian citizens in Latvia remain generally rather positive, while assessments of the Belarusian state, its political regime, and its dependence on Russia are considerably more critical and heterogeneous. The study also demonstrates that a positive attitude towards Belarusians does not necessarily translate into support for a more open migration policy or cooperation with the Belarusian authorities.

The study separately examines the factors associated with differences in public attitudes, including age, language spoken at home, region, and income. It also analyses attitudes towards sanctions, cooperation with the Belarusian authorities and the democratic opposition, as well as the level of recognition of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The study concludes with a comparison of the main trends in Latvia with survey findings from Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine.

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