“Unfortunately, attempts to circumvent sanctions and transport prohibited goods across our borders continue, as does the brutal war that Russia has launched against Ukraine and its people,” said Michal. “By introducing comprehensive controls on goods, we can make it harder to circumvent sanctions and make it harder for Russia to supply its war machine.”
The Estonian Tax and Customs Authority announced that a full check would take more time and would probably halve the number of border crossings into Russia. According to the agency, every person and their luggage will be checked at the border, as will all vehicles and the goods they carry. The relevant local authorities as well as transport and bus companies have already been informed of this.
Since the beginning of the Russian war against Ukraine, the EU has launched 14 sanctions packages against Russia, which provide for numerous trade restrictions and other measures. Nevertheless, according to Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi, the transit of sanctioned goods through Estonia has increased. “Third countries are declared as destination countries, but we don’t believe it. Our experience shows that these goods do not reach their stated destinations, but stop somewhere in Russia halfway to Asia,” he said at the government press conference.
