Islam Times - Russia Not Closing Its Border with Estonia: MFA

Islam Times - Moscow is not closing its border with Estonia, nor has it subjected Russian citizens holding EU passports to increased scrutiny upon entry, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated, denying related Estonian reports as false claims.

"Estonia is spreading completely fabricated information to its citizens, who are currently planning to visit Russia, via social and mass media, alleging that Russia is closing its border. Claims that Russian border guards are subjecting Russians with EU passports to increased scrutiny are also untrue," Zakharova said in a statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website in response to a media inquiry, TASS reported.

Russian border crossings near the Estonian border are functioning as usual, the diplomat added.

According to Zakharova, the situation deteriorated after Narva-1, an alternative checkpoint between Russia and Estonia that previously operated round the clock, reduced its working hours.

"Essentially, this situation arose because of the extremely short-sighted policies pursued by European Union countries, including Finland’s decision to close its border with Russia," Zakharova stated. "This has forced people to enter our country via Estonia."

She emphasized that Russian border crossings remain open and dismissed any plans to close the border. "Russia is ready to welcome as many visitors as there are people wishing to enter, provided they comply with the law," she concluded.