Estonia urges citizens to avoid travel to Belarus
Illustrative photo: Estonia warns citizens against travel to Belarus (facebook.com/politseijapiirivalveamet7)
Estonians have been urged to consider the risks when traveling to Belarus. Authorities warned about possible questioning and detentions, as well as difficulties in obtaining consular assistance, according to ERR.
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a warning to its citizens regarding travel to Belarus following multiple incidents in which Estonians were stopped at the border, questioned, or detained inside the country.
"There have been quite a few cases both at the border and inside Belarus where our citizens were approached, questioned, or detained, just like citizens of other EU countries. The situation there can become extremely unpleasant for our citizens," said Angela Saar-Raaman, a diplomat with the Estonian Foreign Ministry.
Consular assistance uncertain
According to Saar-Raaman, obtaining help from Estonian diplomats in Belarus is currently a complicated process.
"Since May 20, 2024, there has been no Estonian diplomat in Belarus, and there is no Belarusian diplomat in Estonia either. We also do not have a consul in Belarus. Therefore, travelers should consider that providing consular assistance may take much longer than usual, or may not be possible at all," she explained.
Border crossings remain open
Despite the warning, transport connections continue to operate. Bus tickets from Tallinn to Minsk are still available, and the issuance of humanitarian visas continues.
Earlier, Poland announced plans to reopen border checkpoints with Belarus that had been closed during the Zapad-2025 military exercises. On the night of September 25, Polish border guards resumed operations at the crossings, where long queues formed as hundreds of vehicles awaited processing.
