At an open meeting of the leadership of the Estonian Christian Democratic and National Conservative Party Isamaa, a bill was presented, according to which the parliament would instruct the government to close the temporary control line between Estonia and Russia, the party's press service reported, quoted by delfi.ee.
The party's leader Ermas Reinsalu recalled that Finland closed its border with Russia at the end of 2023. Since then, Moscow has launched several hybrid attacks against Estonia and other allied countries.
„Both partner services and Estonian security authorities have repeatedly warned about the threat of sabotage by Russian special services. The Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation has taken hostile action to remove border signs from the Narva River.
„In December, a large-scale terrorist attack was carried out in the Gulf of Finland with the aim of destroying the underwater infrastructure of Estonia and Finland“, Reinsalu pointed out.
According to the chairman of Isamaa, given the current security situation, it is appropriate to close the temporary control line between Estonia and Russia, and the security authorities and the Estonian government have the appropriate capabilities and legal grounds for this.
Earlier, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets (SDP) noted that the government currently has no plans to close the border, as this will not solve all the problems.
„The rapid closure of the borders in Narva and southern Estonia will have an impact on local residents. Perhaps it is not worth rushing and contributing to the realization of Russia's goals. The government knows when and under what conditions to close the borders. We are ready for this if necessary. However, at the moment such a measure is not necessary from a security point of view,” Läänemeets said at the end of the year. He did not specify under what circumstances the border could be closed.
“I believe that closing the borders is a justified step. Given the increase in hybrid attacks, attacks on undersea cables and possible unspecified terrorist risks originating from Russia, this move would be justified. At the same time, the public should be informed of this decision as soon as possible,“ Reinsalu said at the time.