Estonia updates travel warning for Russia, highlights key risks
Estonia updates travel warning advising against trips to Russia (photo: Police and Border Guard Board)
Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its travel warning for Russia due to growing risks. The ministry urged citizens to completely refrain from visiting the country, ERR reports.
Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as before, recommends completely refraining from trips to Russia and draws attention to the risks that Estonian citizens are increasingly facing.
According to Tiina Nirk, Director General of the Consular Department of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently Estonians have come under the scrutiny of Russian security forces even because of their personal views.
For this, it is not necessary to openly criticize Russia's war against Ukraine – it is enough if the authorities find private correspondence on a phone that does not align with the official position of Russia.
The ministry also reminded that Estonia's only representation in Russia is located in Moscow, while the number of diplomatic missions of other EU countries has significantly decreased. Because of this, obtaining consular assistance, if necessary, may be difficult and costly.
As the ministry emphasizes, the Russian authorities have begun to use even minor violations, including migration-related ones, to pressure and blackmail Estonian citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly advises:
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completely refraining from trips to Russia;
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those already in Russia to carefully consider the necessity of their continued stay;
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returning home at the first opportunity.
Among the main risks:
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requirement to grant access to personal electronic devices;
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punishment for views that do not coincide with the official policy of Russia, including imprisonment;
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forced conscription of foreigners into Russia's armed forces to participate in the war in Ukraine;
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for citizens with dual citizenship (Estonia – Russia), Russian laws apply, and Estonia's ability to provide consular assistance is limited.
Recently, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared Dmitry Prilepin, First Secretary of the Russian Embassy, persona non grata due to active interference in the country's internal affairs and undermining of the constitutional order.
Earlier, Estonia had decided to expel another Russian diplomat. The reason was also Russia's interference in the country's internal affairs.
