The Estonian government will conduct a new risk assessment on December 19, and it is not ruled out that the border with Russia could be closed after the incident in Vasknarva, writes ERR News.
Russia has denied that its border guards had illegally crossed the border.
On the 17th of December, three Russian border guards crossed the border and entered Estonian territory on the Vasknarva pier, which is located on the Narva River. The stone pier is located in both countries, but the part that is on Estonian territory is larger. The motive for the actions of the Russian border guards is unclear.
On the 18th of December, a meeting of Estonian and Russian border guards on the pier lasted more than two hours, and the Russian side denied that a border violation had occurred. Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro said the conclusion was that the Russians no longer knew where the border was, which was a ridiculous excuse, as the border line had not changed for more than 30 years: “If they cannot read a map, if topographical ignorance prevails there, then how are we supposed to help?
Should we send them a map, teach them how to read it?
This remains a challenge for us.”
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna pointed out that Russia is currently trying to change borders in geographically difficult places, and also mentioned the events in the Saatse Boot area. Estonia has an unratified border treaty with Russia, and Tsahkna said he saw no way to sort out the issue at the moment. “Our job is simply to be very clear about what is our territory, what is Russian territory, to keep the situation under control, and not to give in to provocations,” the minister added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted an official protest note to the Russian diplomatic representative, and the government will decide on further action on the 19th of December, but for now the presence of security forces in Vasknarva has been increased. The possibility of closing the border is not excluded, but the minister indicated that the action must be proportionate. The minister explained that there are various options for closing the border – at the scene of the incident or in general, for a temporary, longer period or completely.
During the meeting on the 18th of December, the representative of the Russian border guard emphasized that he did not have the right to provide more detailed explanations, and Estonia has proposed convening a higher-level meeting.
Read also: Russian border guards entered Estonian territory
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