Due to renovations, the Estonian foreign ministry announced on Thursday that Russia will restrict road traffic at a vital border checkpoint for two years.
Officials in Tallinn reported receiving a note from Russia stating that the Narva-Ivangorod border crossing would be closed on February 1.
“The notation specifies that the renovations will continue until the conclusion of 2025.” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told reporters, “We shall observe the eventuality.”
“We will proceed with our routine operations at the frontier,” he declared.
The pedestrian crossing connecting the third-largest city in Estonia, Narva, and its Russian neighbor, Ivangorod, will remain operational.
Estonia, a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a former Soviet republic, and Russia share a 333-kilometer (207-mile) border; five crossings will remain operational after the Narva checkpoint is closed.
Estonia issued a warning to its citizens in November 2023 regarding “any travel” to Russia, stating that due to migrant influx concerns, Tallinn might temporarily close the frontier with its eastern neighbor.