MOSCOW, May 10 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that Latvian politicians stop ranting and get down to constructive work. He said that at a news conference following the Russia-European Union summit that concluded in Moscow today.
Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga was the only Baltic leader who attended VE-Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9.
Estonia and Latvia have long sought to sign border treaties with Russia. On Tuesday, Putin said Russia was prepared to sign the treaty with Estonia.
In late April 2005, the Latvian government adopted a unilateral declaration that contained territorial claims to Russia. Latvia's Foreign Ministry said the declaration should be included in the border treaty with Russia.
Putin said Latvia thereby demanded that Russia give it the Pytalovsky district that was part of its Pskov Region now.
"They are ready to sign a border treaty with us, but want to include a proviso and reference to the 1920 treaty under which the Pytalovsky district was part of Latvia," the president said.
Putin added that Russia had lost many of its historical lands with the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
"Are you suggesting dividing territories anew? Let them return Russia the Crimea and some lands that are now part of other former Soviet republics. Give us Klaipeda [a sea port in Lithuania] back. Let's divide entire Europe anew then. Do you want that? I guess not," Putin said.
