Estonia has decided to close the borders for Russian citizens with Schengen visas issued by the republic, with some exceptions, the Foreign Ministry said .
Exceptions are:
- embassy staff;
- international transport workers;
- humanitarian reasons;
- visiting relatives
On August 9, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced that visas to Russian tourists should be stopped:
“Stop issuing tourist visas to Russians. Visiting Europe is a privilege, not a human right. Air communication with Russia is closed. This means that while the Schengen countries issue visas, the burden is borne by Russia's neighbors – Finland, Estonia, Latvia – the only points of access. It's time to stop tourism from Russia now."
The day before, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Western countries should ban all Russians from entering their territory. In his opinion, this is how the West can prevent Russia from annexing the territory of Ukraine.