The Estonian government has announced that it can immediately close its border with Russia if Moscow decrees a general mobilization. This decision was made during a meeting of the Estonian Security Council, attended by Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. The move is a response to growing concerns about the situation in Russia, where Western media have been speculating about the possibility of imminent general mobilization.
According to Prime Minister Michal, Estonia is constantly monitoring the situation in Russia and is considering different scenarios depending on developments on the ground. He stated that various measures are being taken based on the threat assessment, including the possibility of quickly closing border crossing points. The police and Minister of Interior are informed and have the capacity to rapidly close these points.
Michal emphasized that Russia is currently the main, and almost sole, source of threat to Estonia's security. He painted a grim picture of the Russian economy, citing the absence of a healthy sector and a heavy human toll on the front lines, with between 30,000 and 40,000 soldiers killed or wounded every month. Michal believes that Russia will eventually need to take new measures to support its war effort, and that NATO and the European Union must prepare for this.
Foreign Minister Tsahkna clarified that Russian citizens who try to flee to Europe in case of mobilization will not be automatically granted international protection. He warned that a person in Russia might think that fleeing to Europe would give them grounds for protection, but this is not the case. Some border crossing points already operate on reduced hours and with enhanced customs controls.
Estonia is bracing for increased migratory pressure from Russia in the coming months, particularly if general mobilization is decreed after the Russian State Duma elections. This scenario is being considered, along with the potential for Russia to attempt to exert pressure on neighboring countries. In comparison, Finland has indefinitely closed its land border crossings with Russia due to what it considers excessive migratory pressure from the Russian side.
Along with Latvia and Lithuania, Estonia is also seeking to restrict the transit of Russian grain through Baltic ports, deeming it unacceptable for an aggressor country's exports to pass through its territory. The three countries are coordinating their efforts to limit Russia's economic activities in the region. Michal and Tsahkna stressed that Estonia is taking a proactive approach to addressing the potential consequences of general mobilization in Russia.
The situation in Russia has raised concerns across the region, with Estonia and its neighbors taking steps to prepare for any eventuality. The Estonian government's announcement highlights the country's commitment to ensuring its security and the security of its citizens in the face of growing uncertainty about Russia's intentions. The international community is watching the situation closely, as developments in Russia could have significant implications for regional stability.
Key points
- Estonia can immediately close its border with Russia if Moscow orders general mobilization.
- Russian citizens fleeing mobilization will not be automatically granted international protection in Europe.
- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are coordinating efforts to restrict Russian grain transit through Baltic ports.
