On Thursday, Russian citizens will no longer be allowed to visit Estonia with a travel visas for tourism, business, sports or other purposes.
"Therefore, Russian citizens cannot have the self-evident freedom to enjoy the opportunities offered by the same European values and freedoms that the European Union offers – be it vacation, education or business activities."
- Lauri Läänemets, Estonia's Minister of Interior
Estonia's Minister of Interior Lauri Läänemets said that the invasion of Ukraine, is an attack against European values and freedoms that Russian citizens seek to enjoy by traveling to EU countries.
Exceptions will be made for Russians with relatives in Estonia, Russian diplomats, humanitarian visa, transportation of goods and passengers and travel visa issued by another Schengen country.
Around 2,500 Russians enter the country everyday, with 1,250 of them using short-term visas issued by either the Estonian government or other Schengen nations.
Last week, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský wished to propose an EU-wide Russian travel ban at the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers in Prague on Aug. 31.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposes an EU-wide ban, because many Russian dissidents are currently fleeing Russia.
