First reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Close the Temporary Control Line Between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation" (722 OE)
Session: XV Riigikogu, VI Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-11-11 13:22
Total Speeches: 63
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 9m
AI Summaries: 63/63 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu session began with a vote on extending the sitting, which the Estonian Reform Party faction had proposed to extend until the agenda was exhausted, but no later than 2 p.m. The proposal found support (60 in favor, 4 against, 2 abstentions). Discussion then moved to Riigikogu draft decision 722 OE, submitted by the Isamaa faction, which proposed that the Government of the Republic close the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation. The rapporteur, Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa), emphasized that the main motives for the draft decision were ensuring security, conveying a political message, and better implementation of sanctions. He admitted that closing the border would cause inconvenience for residents near the border (e.g., in Setomaa), but argued that national security outweighed these problems. During the debate, the Centre Party and the Reform Party criticized the draft decision for being ill-considered and ignoring local residents. EKRE supported the draft decision but criticized Isamaa for offering half-measures, while simultaneously stressing the growing threat of Russification. The leading committee (the Legal Affairs Committee) sent the draft decision to the final vote, where it failed to gain support (20 in favor, 47 against).
Decisions Made 2
The sitting was extended until the exhaustion of the agenda, but no later than 14:00 (60 in favor, 4 against, 2 abstentions).
Draft Resolution 722 OE concerning the Riigikogu decision titled "Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to close the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation" was rejected in the final vote (20 in favor, 47 against).
Most Active Speaker
Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa) was the rapporteur for the bill and the most active speaker, resolutely defending the proposal to close the control line on security grounds, and answering numerous questions regarding both the economic impact and the political background. His position is right-wing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi opened the debate on the second item on the Riigikogu session’s agenda—the first reading of Bill 722, submitted by the Isamaa faction (a proposal to close the Estonian-Russian temporary control line). However, before proceeding to the substantive discussions, he put to a vote the proposal by the Reform Party faction to extend today’s sitting until the agenda is exhausted, but no later than 2 p.m.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced the voting result to the Riigikogu, according to which the proposal had received strong support. He then announced the extension of the sitting until 2 PM and subsequently invited his colleague Helir-Valdor Seeder to the rostrum to discuss the second item on the agenda.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder is introducing the draft resolution put forward by the Isamaa parliamentary group, which proposes that the Government of the Republic close the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation. He emphasizes that the primary motivation is ensuring national security, given the risks posed by Russia (such as drones and military exercises) and the continued movement of thousands of border crossers. This movement, he argues, creates an unreasonable transit corridor, especially considering that neighboring countries (Finland, Poland) have already closed their borders. The resolution also calls on the government to issue a unified political signal in conjunction with Latvia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker for a thoroughly effective presentation and then gave the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme recalls that EKRE made a similar border-related proposal back when the war in Ukraine first broke out, a proposal that was not supported at the time. She also points out that any discussion regarding the closure of the Narva border crossing must address the influx of international protection applicants, questioning where these 113 third-country nationals, who filed asylum applications in Estonia over the last week, are coming from, especially considering the requirements of the Dublin Convention.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi briefly expressed his thanks.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme posed the question of whether closing the border would result in a reduction in the number of applications for international protection arriving from that direction.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded his address with a brief and specific thank you.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder confirmed that Isamaa has consistently supported closing the control line, and emphasized that restricting the movement of international protection applicants into Estonia significantly reduces the number of applications, which in turn enhances national security and lessens the burden of obligations on the state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
After a brief introduction, Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi handed the floor over to Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas raised the question of the economic security of the Setomaa region, inquiring whether locals affected by cross-border labor were consulted during the preparation of the draft bill, and whether the bill, which is based on security considerations, provides for compensation mechanisms to preserve business activity in the region.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder explains that the decision to close the control line on land, which is analogous to the practice of other countries, is unavoidable for ensuring state security and reducing risks, even if it causes economic inconvenience and difficulties for local residents. He emphasizes that security considerations must outweigh everyday problems, and confirms that the people of the Seto region were consulted during the preparation process.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets expressed concern about security, citing as an example that some Ukrainian refugees are displaying Russian Federation flags, and suspected that those arriving via the eastern border have been filtered by the FSB or are even sent agents, asking whether such Putin-controlled immigration should be halted for security considerations.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder is completely convinced that the closure of land border crossing points will definitely reduce security risks and threats, because it significantly complicates the cross-border movement of spies, saboteurs, and those carrying out acts of diversion from Russia, and also facilitates control, even though the exact scope of the impact is hard to assess.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi, Jaak Valge was called to the podium, but his actual address was not included in the submitted material.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge sharply criticizes the shortcomings of the border control database, which fails to determine whether individuals who have crossed the temporary control line—including Ukrainian refugees abusing international protection—have subsequently left the country. He asks whether this simple, yet missing, interface is due to business interests or simply administrative incompetence.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder finds it regrettable and puzzling that Estonia, as an e-state, still lacks a comprehensive and technically straightforward overview of cross-border movement. This overview is vital given the war in Ukraine and the current security situation. He suspects this deficiency stems more from the indifference and lack of interest among various agencies rather than from malicious intent.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Vladimir Arhipov to the podium.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov cited the Seto Congress decision concerning Petserimaa, which mandates agreements with Setomaa representatives regarding all activities that impact their lives, particularly the crossing of the control line. He then inquired whether the necessary consultation had been carried out with the 30,000 Seto people.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder acknowledges that limiting the crossing of the control line will cause inconvenience and a negative economic impact for residents living near the border. However, he stresses that this measure is essential for more effective monitoring of sanctions and guaranteeing Estonia’s security. This necessity, he argues, firmly outweighs the temporary hardships, the true cause of which lies in Russia’s war of aggression and provocative actions, which pose a far greater danger to border residents.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Evelin Poolamets.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets criticizes the government for failing to propose the closure of the control line and casts doubt on the consistency of the Reform Party's policy, recalling the party's earlier positions favoring visa freedom with Russia and asking whether the government's course has shifted over time.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder criticizes the government's passivity regarding the closure of the control line, but he is relieved that the questions of visa-free travel and the border treaty are not currently pressing issues. He emphasizes that if negotiations for the Estonian-Russian border treaty were to resume in the future, Estonia must be wiser regarding past mistakes. The treaty must definitely incorporate a reference to the Treaty of Tartu and underscore its validity, given that the previous naive negotiation process, spanning more than 20 years, has failed from the standpoint of Estonian security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called Tõnis Lukas to the rostrum to deliver his presentation, but the content of his address is missing from the current text.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas sharply criticizes the government's decision to keep a "gap open" on the eastern border, emphasizing that this creates fertile ground for organized crime and security threats. Furthermore, he considers the hope that keeping the border open will increase the loyalty of the Russian population in Ida-Virumaa toward the Estonian state to be a naive illusion.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder acknowledges that he does not have the relevant research, but based on empirical intuition and the results of the recent local elections, he sees no indication that loyalty to the Estonian state in border areas, such as the Narva region, has significantly improved lately, regardless of the residents’ citizenship.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Ando Kiviberg to the podium as the next speaker.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg acknowledges the patriotic and pro-Estonian goal of the submitted draft bill, but deems it important to ask whether it has been coordinated with the Centre Party faction or board, especially considering Isamaa’s active involvement in resolving national issues during the local elections and the successfully concluded coalition negotiations in Tallinn.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder thanks the colleague for the very positive assessment given to the draft bill, which included characterizations such as "pro-Estonian, patriotic, and pleasant," and expresses confidence that the colleague will support such a draft bill. He also explains that although the draft bill was not coordinated with specific factions, all parliamentary groups were able to familiarize themselves with it in the committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the Q&A session following the previous presentation and yielded the floor to Jaanus Karilaid, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, who will now brief the Riigikogu on the debate held and the decisions reached within the lead committee.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid provided an overview of the Legal Affairs Committee's November 3rd session, where they discussed a draft bill based on security grounds, which is viewed as a necessary additional political instrument for the government. Cooperation with Latvia was also mentioned. Although the security reports have not yet been reviewed, the committee unanimously decided to include the draft bill on the plenary session's agenda for 11.11.2025, propose it for a final vote, and appoint a speaker to serve as the committee's rapporteur.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience, announced that there was one question to be presented, and then gave the floor to Vladimir Arhipov, asking him to speak.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov put a pointed question to Jaanus concerning the status and content of the government report, demanding clarification on exactly how thoroughly he had studied the document and whether he had done sufficient preparatory work on the matter before appearing in the chamber.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid announced that although the Minister of Finance mentioned the existence of a security report at the session of the Legal Affairs Committee—a report the government must consider when making decisions—neither the committee itself nor the government has yet familiarized themselves with its content.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi yielded the floor to Helir-Valdor Seeder, inviting him to the rostrum.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asked whether the lead committee had received any signals from security agencies during the proceedings that might point to potential threats posed by the draft legislation to national security or internal political stability.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid considers the issue complex, but believes that the proposed bill would solve problems. He simultaneously criticized Eesti 200 and the Reform Party for their inaction, and found it strange that a member of the government would reference a report that had not been reviewed prior to making the decision.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Evelin Poolamets to the podium as the next speaker.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets asked the presenter to specify what concrete problems he or she allegedly saw regarding the handling of the topic, since the presenter had only referred to general difficulties.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid explains that the government's indecision regarding border regulations stems from the presence of 70,000 Russian citizens in Estonia and thousands of weekly border crossings, noting that Estonia cannot be compared to Finland. His personal position, however, is that the bill currently under discussion will help solve problems, not create new ones.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the presenter, declared the question period closed, and subsequently opened the debate, giving the floor first to Vladimir Arhipov, representative of the Estonian Centre Party Faction.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov sharply criticizes the draft bill concerning the closure of the control line, deeming it a political slogan that excludes border residents, such as the Setos and the people of Pechory, from the discussion. He emphasizes that the bill punishes Estonian citizens without any economic or humanitarian impact assessment, stressing that a statesmanlike decision must begin with consulting local communities, and calls for the draft bill to be rejected or sent back for comprehensive amendment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller recognized Valdo Randpere, the representative of the Estonian Reform Party faction, who requested and was granted three minutes of additional time for his speech.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere criticized the opposition's proposed bill for the complete closure of the eastern border, accusing them of political hypocrisy and stressing that the opposition can afford to push poorly considered legislation, whereas the government must take into account assessments from security agencies and the regional context. Furthermore, border crossing in Estonia is already extremely restrictive, and closing the land border would not eliminate the threats mentioned. Therefore, the government considers it necessary to maintain the current border regime, which is restrictive but not hermetically sealed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller introduced the address by Mart Helme, representative of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia faction, noting that although Mr. Seeder had been mentioned previously, he would be given the floor for a response after Helme's presentation.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticizes the government for failing to close the eastern border at the start of the war, assigning collective responsibility to Isamaa, and supports their current proposal as a necessary but incomplete step. He stresses that the uncontrolled influx of cheap labor (which, he claims, will lead to the Russification of Estonia and a slave revolt) and the entry of GRU saboteurs via the southern and northern borders constitute a far more acute security threat. This threat, he warns, could lead to the state being taken over in three hours, necessitating the restoration of border control on all other borders as well.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller posed a brief question, checking if the audience desired extra time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme made a brief and specific request for extra time for his speech.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller requested three additional minutes of speaking time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme sharply criticizes Estonia’s security policy, claiming that the importation of tens of thousands of Russian-speaking foreigners undermines the country's security position and deepens the problem of the unintegrated population dating back to the Soviet era. Consequently, he distrusts the special services, which are unable to stop the "import of Slavs," and labels his political opponents (the Isamaa party) as unreliable compromisers whose half-baked solutions will lead to severe security consequences in the long run.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller gave the floor to Helir-Valdor Seeder, who was speaking on behalf of the Isamaa faction.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asked for eight minutes of speaking time.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller made a brief procedural remark, requesting three minutes of additional time to continue his presentation.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder responded to criticism regarding the opposition-initiated bill to close the border, emphasizing that this constitutes a service to the Estonian state, not political games. He asserted that both the supporters and opponents of the bill bear collective responsibility for the consequences following the vote. He refuted arguments suggesting that the Narva border crossing is essential for EU diplomats or that the Kaliningrad example is adequate in the context of border closure, stressing that the bill is merely a proposal to the Government of the Republic, expecting the government to exercise common sense and make a considered decision.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller, who was chairing the round of response speeches, first had to apologize that Helir-Valdor Seeder had already left, and then gave the floor to Valdo Randpere.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Valdo Randpere concedes that the border issue is complex, stressing the need for close cooperation with Latvia. He confirms that the joint position of Estonia and Latvia is that there is no immediate need to close the border, although operational readiness for such a step exists. However, he simultaneously expresses doubt as to whether the Isamaa bill, which was firmly backed by Mart Helme, is still supported by the party now that circumstances have changed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller Mart Helme made a short statement delivered from his seat.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme emphasized that closing the border with the aggressor state and maintaining strict control over other borders is a matter of principle, not a favor to Isamaa, demanding a quid pro quo in the form of support for withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention, which he labeled a "pervo-convention" promoting the brainwashing of children. Finally, he sharply criticized Isamaa and the government for their inability to solve the real problem: the growth of the fifth column, Slavization, and the protracted delay in removing the Russian language from the Estonian public space.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller announced that a response speech was next on the agenda and called Helir-Valdor Seeder to the rostrum.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder urged his colleagues to support the bill concerning the crossing of the control line, acknowledging that it would not solve all of the country's security problems, but specifically asking EKRE and the Reform Party to find the statesmanship, courage, and dignity within themselves to back this manageable bill, despite political changes and disagreements.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller closed the debate, noted the absence of amendments, and put draft bill 722 OE, submitted by the Isamaa faction, to the Riigikogu for the final vote. The bill concerns the proposal to close the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller notes that the decision failed to gain support in the Riigikogu vote, receiving 20 votes in favor and 47 votes against.