Estonia joins Latvia and Lithuania in banning entry of cars with Russian registration
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On Wednesday, Estonia joined Latvia and Lithuania and banned the entry of cars with Russian license plates, following the recommendations of the European Commission.
Rubryka reports, citing Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna and ERR.
"Starting from today, in 16 minutes to be precise, Estonia will deny entry to all Russian registered vehicles," said the foreign minister. "They are not welcome here to enjoy the privileges freedom has to offer until Ukraine has achieved victory."
This means that Estonia will comply with the recommendations of the European Commission, stating that one is not allowed to enter the territory of the European Union in private cars with Russian license plates.
"The goal of sanctions against Russia is to force the aggressor country to retreat to its borders," said the interior minister Lauri Läänemets. "Since the European Commission has just clarified the current sanctions, Estonia considers it vital to use all opportunities to increase the price of Russian aggression. After consulting with the authorities of Latvia and Lithuania, we have concluded that the restrictions are most effective if we apply them jointly."
The tax and customs department will follow special procedures if a vehicle with Russian license plates arrives at the border point. The user or owner of a motor vehicle will have to either return to Russia with the car or cross the border without it.
The European Commission published an explanation of the long-established restrictions on importing and exporting goods to or from Russia. It clarified that cars and some goods fall under the ban, regardless of whether they are personal belongings of travelers.
Germany requested the explanation because it has not only restricted the entry of Russian cars but is also confiscating them within the country since the end of June, local media reported.
The European Commission said that cars, phones, other equipment, and valuables may be confiscated from citizens of the Russian Federation when crossing the border with the European Union.
As Rubryka reported, citizens of Ukraine evacuating from temporarily occupied territories can return to the controlled territory of Ukraine through the humanitarian corridor Kolotylivka (Russian Federation) — Pokrovka (Ukraine).
After the European Commission published explanations, Lithuania warned that it would stop the entry of cars with Russian registration, except for those transiting to the Kaliningrad region. Following Lithuania, Latvia announced the same decision.
