Estonia bans transit of Russian and Belarusian grain through its territory

Estonia's government decided on Thursday to introduce national sanctions banning the transit of grain originating from Russia and Belarus through Estonian territory. The decision amends a government resolution from September 2022 concerning a ban on importing certain goods from Russia and Belarus in connection with Russia's aggression against Ukraine and Belarus's support for that aggression.

Until now, Russian grain has not been transported in transit through Estonia. However, Russia has been actively seeking new export routes, and Russian grain is already being shipped through ports in Latvia and Lithuania. There has reportedly been interest in using Estonian port infrastructure as well. The new ban ensures Estonia does not become an additional transit route for such cargo.

Minister's explanation

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said it would be cynical for a country that attacks Ukraine's ports and blocks Ukrainian grain from reaching world markets to simultaneously be allowed to export its own grain through other countries' ports. According to him, Estonia's position on this matter has been clear since last September, when it stated there was no point in planning the transport of Russian grain through Estonia. The new sanctions now put a definitive end to the matter.

Tsahkna added that Estonia is cooperating with Latvia and Lithuania to ensure that Russian grain transit does not take place through Baltic ports at all, stressing that the Baltic states cannot allow their ports to indirectly support Russia's war economy.

Latvia has not yet introduced a similar ban. Estonia's government decision on the amendment will take effect the day after its publication in the official gazette, Riigi Teataja.