Estonia has said it is "prepared" to close its border with Russia after a similar move by Finland. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhkna said the situation on the border with Finland, which has seen a surge in undocumented migrants in recent weeks, was "a clear hybrid attack carried out by Russia".
According to the Estonian Foreign Ministry's statement, Tsakhkna added that the Baltic state is "ready to close its border with Russia and defend itself against any hybrid attacks." Estonia, a former Soviet republic, is now a staunch supporter of Ukraine, which is fighting the Russian invasion. “This is another proof that Russia is not only fighting in Ukraine; instead, it poses a threat to other countries with its hybrid attacks," Tsachna said of the situation in Finland. He participated in the talks of the Baltic and Scandinavian ministers in Brussels.
The Estonian government's statement added that the ministers said at the meeting that they were ready to help Helsinki if needed. On Tuesday, Finland announced the closure of its last checkpoint with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340-kilometer border. The Finnish and Estonian borders with Russia are external borders of both the European Union and NATO. /BGNES
