Today 6 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Estonia Alexander Petrov to protest and present a note on the violation of Estonian airspace yesterday. Estonia considers this a very regrettable and serious incident, and repeated series of violations of this kind are completely unacceptable.
The ministry also drew the ambassador’s attention to the statement by the European Union on Saturday, condemning the arbitrary decision of Russia to impose, on 30 April, a ban on entry devoid of any legal justification against representatives of European Union institutions and citizens of five member states who are standing up for European values. The European Union has unequivocally condemned such actions. Russia cannot undermine the commitment of the European Union to the protection of human rights, democracy and international law, and prevent the European Union from holding those responsible for human rights violations to account. Ilmar Tomusk, the head of the Estonian Language Inspectorate, has worked hard and consistently to protect and promote the Estonian language. Estonia considers it surprising and remarkable that it is this activity that Russia deems necessary to condemn.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stressed that the European Union considered the regulation signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 23 April on unfriendly activities of foreign countries unjustified and unacceptable. The regulation violates the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The European Union has repeatedly called on Russia to cease all violations of international law, including breaches of its own international commitments. The planned arbitrary measures against unfriendly foreign countries is another provocative strep by Russia aimed at escalating tensions with the European Union. Along with Russia’s recent threatening rhetoric about red lines and asymmetric responses, it demonstrates that Russia has chosen the path of confrontation instead of seeking to reverse the negative trajectory of EU-Russia relations. The European Union and member states remain ready to respond in a coordinated manner and in close cooperation with their partners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also affirmed Estonia’s solidarity with Bulgaria. Several Russian nationals are suspected of organising explosions and attempted murder in investigations into the explosions in weapons warehouses in the country between 2011 and 2020.
Additional information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
