Estonia closes Russian border as Putin ‘plotting attack’ on NATO - WW3 fears explode

Résumé détaillé

Estonia is to close all border crossing points with Russia as of December 1, after the Russian military intelligence service ordered a sabotage attack against an Estonian defence…

Estonia is to close all border crossing points with Russia as of December 1, after the Russian military intelligence service ordered a sabotage attack against an Estonian defence industry company, it has emerged. Prime Minister Kristen Michal warned that the "necessary steps" should be taken to close Estonia's eastern border with Russia after an attempted arson attack on Saturday morning.

Foreign Affairs minister Margus Tshanka, posting on X, said: "Following clear evidence that Russia’s military intelligence service GRU, ordered a sabotage attack against an Estonian defence industry company, the Estonia will close all Estonian-Russian border crossing points as of December 1.

"Russia must understand that hostile actions against Estonia come with consequences. Attempts to intimidate, destabilise, or undermine our security will not go unanswered.

"Closing the border crossings will reduce Russia’s ability to conduct hostile activities in Estonia and strengthen our efforts to prevent sanctions circumvention. I have informed my Finnish, Latvian, and Lithuanian counterparts of this decision.

Estonia’s decision comes amid growing concern among NATO’s eastern European members over the threat posed by Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have increasingly strengthened their defences, fearing they could become targets of further Russian aggression.

Estonia has already taken a series of measures to tighten security along its eastern frontier, including reducing the operating hours of border crossings with Russia and introducing more intensive customs checks.

In August, the government extended restrictions indefinitely, with the main road and rail crossings operating between 7am and 7pm.

The country has also been preparing for the possibility of Russian military aggression. Estonia is part of NATO's eastern flank, alongside Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and has been strengthening its military presence…

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