Latvia to auction off “Moscow House” in Riga and donate proceeds to Ukraine

The Latvian government has decided to auction off the so-called "House of Moscow" and its land plot in the center of Riga, the country's capital.

The building was previously owned by the government of the Russian capital and was nationalized by the Latvian parliament's decision, Rubryka reports, citing the publication LSM.

According to the Latvian publication, the "House of Moscow" and the land underneath it will be first transferred to the Ministry of Finance, allowing the sale of this property at an auction. The object can only be sold as a whole: both the building and the land.

The cadastral data of the State Land Service indicates the plot costs €517,083, and the building is priced at €2,348,340.

The funding raised at the auction will be allocated to support Ukraine, so Latvians will submit special amendments to the law on supporting the residents of Ukraine to the parliament. The report reviewed by the government emphasizes that the object may not be sold quickly. 

On January 11, the Latvian parliament approved a bill transferring the Riga House of Moscow to state ownership in the final reading. The Saeima Commission on National Security, chaired by MP Ainārs Latkovskis, initiated the bill's consideration.

Arguments in favor of the nationalization of the building include the fact that the House of Moscow hosted political events under the guise of cultural and educational occasions threatening national security.

Eliminating the House of Moscow, a symbol of Russian policy toward compatriots, will remove the threat to Latvia's national security and sovereignty, said the initiators.

Before being nationalized, the House of Moscow was subordinate to structures whose actual owners were Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the decision of the Latvian parliament to nationalize the House of Moscow in Riga would not go unanswered. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova promised "harsh and extremely painful" steps in response to Latvia.

Last December, the Latvian Security Service conducted criminal proceedings at the House of Moscow in connection with possible violations of EU sanctions against Russia.

Transfer of confiscated cars to Ukraine

Latvia has been one of Ukraine's most active allies since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, providing military and political assistance.

In February 2023, the Latvian parliament unanimously passed amendments to the law on supporting the civilian population of Ukraine, allowing the free transfer of vehicles confiscated by the state to the Ukrainian government.

The Latvian parliament also allowed the transfer of all movable property, including cars owned by the parliament, to Ukraine.

Latvia has already sent 271 cars confiscated from drunk drivers to Ukraine. As of mid-December 2023, the total value of confiscated cars is estimated at nearly €1 million.