Politics Estonia temporarily closes border crossing with Russia in Narva

Estonia will temporarily close the border crossing to Russia in Narva over the weekend for security reasons. The police and border protection authority of the Baltic EU and NATO country justified the move with significantly slower border controls on the Russian side. As a result, border crossers reportedly had to wait for hours on Thursday and Friday to be able to cross the border. In order to avoid endangering people's health and public order, the crossing will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday, the authorities announced on Friday. Other crossings were not affected and entry into Estonia was still possible.

According to Estonian reports, long queues formed in Narva for the first time on Thursday due to the slow controls. Pictures on the internet showed hundreds of people, some with luggage, waiting at the border, which was closed at night. The city administration set up mobile toilets and distributed bottles of water. As there is no indication that Russia will improve border controls in the near future, it was decided to close the border crossing in the interests of the local population and the well-being of border crossers, according to the statement.

Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that there was no precise information as to why the Russian border guards were currently operating very slowly. Estonian media speculated that the incident was connected to the celebrations and a parade of military personnel planned in Narva to mark Estonian Victory Day against the Red Army in 1919 on June 23. They also published pictures of a Russian balloon apparently watching the crowds on the Estonian side of the border.

SDA