Estonia’s foreign affairs minister announced a new border rule affecting Russian citizens. The policy will block entry via Estonia’s external borders for anyone holding a Russian passport, regardless of the country that issued their Schengen visa. The official statement emphasized that starting at 00:00 on September 19, the restriction is to be enforced, and a clear message was sent: Russian travelers should not expect entry to Estonia in this period.
The minister noted that neighboring Baltic states and Poland plan to introduce similar restrictions, stating that Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland would implement entry bans in a coordinated fashion. A joint Polish government communication outlined that temporary national measures would be activated by each country by September 19, 2022, following a common approach.
Officials stressed that the measure is not a complete shutdown of entry. Selective exceptions will be allowed to facilitate transit for dissidents, humanitarian cases, family members, holders of residence permits, goods and transport services, and diplomatic missions. The policy would also consider entries from Kaliningrad and related travel needs under agreed conditions.
On the broader international stage, the European Commission approved a proposal to suspend visa facilitation with Russia, a move expected to take effect after approval by the European Council and to come into force shortly thereafter. In parallel, Ukrainian leadership floated the idea of closing European borders to Russians, arguing that isolation could prompt changes within Russia.
“Russia Opened”
A spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry outlined the ensuing responses to the European Union’s entry restrictions, underscoring that Russian citizens would be prioritized in any measures taken. The official stressed that responses would align with Russia’s broader policies toward the EU and aim to safeguard national security while preserving the rights of its own citizens to travel.
The diplomat argued that Russia would remain open to citizens of the European Union who wish to visit, asserting that Russia offers a chance to experience its cultural and civilizational heritage firsthand. The promise was that tourism into Russia would still be possible despite political tensions.
According to the Russian side, suspending the visa facilitation agreement with the EU does not reflect European interests, and the rationale cited involves punitive steps against Russian travelers who have shown patriotism and support for ongoing operations. The official suggested that external pressures and instructions from Washington played a role in shaping the EU’s stance.
In the cultural arena, discussions emerged about the impact of travel restrictions on artists from Russia seeking to perform in the Baltic region. Some voices urged a balanced approach that would allow artistic exchange to continue, noting the financial and historical ties that once defined cross-border artistic activity. Opinions varied, with concerns about how political events could affect creative exchange and the livelihoods of performers.
Independence from ROC
Parliamentary bodies in Latvia moved to advance a bill aimed at granting full independence to the Latvian Orthodox Church from the Moscow Patriarchate. The proposed changes would establish the church as a self-governing body with control over its dioceses, parishes, and related institutions, and would update the church’s charter with a completion target near the end of October.
The authors of the bill explained that the ROC had justified broader political and ecclesiastical alignment with the war, prompting this legislative step toward autocephaly. The church’s leadership publicly challenged the legality of such parliamentary moves, arguing that a state parliament does not have authority over church governance. Critics described the move as a clash between civil authority and religious autonomy, highlighting the long-standing separation of church and state in Latvia.
Historically, the Latvian Orthodox Church has held a status of self-government within the framework of the Russian Orthodox Church since 1992, a relationship that is being reevaluated in light of recent geopolitical tensions. The evolving dynamic reflects shifts in national identity and the desire to affirm sovereignty in ecclesiastical matters.