Estonia Closes Border to Russian Citizens Holding Schengen Visas

Estonia will close its border to Russian citizens holding Schengen visas, announced Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu.

“In a week, sanctions will be applied regarding the Schengen visas issued by the Republic of Estonia to Russian citizens. The sanction means that the visas will remain valid, but sanctions will be imposed on those holding the visas when entering Estonia, effectively banning their entry,” he stated during a press conference.

Commenting on this, Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council's International Policy Committee, said that the Estonian authorities' decision speaks to a historical inferiority complex, as reported by РИА Новости. In his opinion, such decisions are “foolish and laughable” and violate the norms accepted by states.