Estonia's Interior Minister: No plans to close border with Russia for now, but readiness is there

Estonia's Interior Minister Igor Taro said that the current situation on the Estonian-Russian border does not warrant considering its closure. However, if a direct threat to national security emerges, the border will be shut without delay. The decision on the operation of border crossing points depends on the assessment of national security threats.

Neighboring Finland closed its border with Russia at the end of 2023, and calls for similar action have periodically arisen in Estonia. Taro noted that attempts to smuggle sanctioned goods from the Russian side continue, and such cases are being carefully detected. He also reminded that Russian tourists have long been denied entry at the border—only those with a residence permit in an EU country or dual citizenship are allowed to cross.

Earlier, Estonian border checkpoints reduced their operating hours—they are closed at night. This decision was made due to border incidents from the Russian side.