First reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu, "Submitting a proposal to the Government of the Republic to close the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation" (562 OE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-03-20 12:01
Total Speeches: 82
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 42m
AI Summaries: 82/82 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first item on the agenda concerned draft resolution 562 of the Riigikogu, presented by the Isamaa faction, which aimed to propose to the Republic’s Government the closure of the temporary control line between Estonia and Russia. The presenter outlined the justifications – mitigating security risks, controlling processes occurring in the context of sanctions rule violations and international trade, and the practical and messaging aspects associated with them – and pointed out that the temporary closure of the border control line could reduce manipulations and risks carried out across the border. However, the need for a risk assessment was discussed, along with the potential handling of exemptions should the government make a decision based on the situation.
The debate also focused on the technical feasibility and operational impacts, both on the border guard's workload and the signaling value for the country's security, citing the Estlink 2 sabotage and the international context. The government’s perspective on ordering a risk assessment and the timeframe for April brought to light that decision-making must be based on analyses and the country's sovereign consideration, but the discussion garnered broad attention to the positions of various factions and security experts.
Decisions Made 1
The parliament voted on the draft resolution of the Riigikogu with 562 votes in favor, 14 votes, and 61 votes against; there were no abstentions. The draft has been rejected.
Most Active Speaker
The representative of the Isamaa faction; right-wing (legal/political orientation). This representative and their speeches formed the central discussion of the situation, and they were one of the main speakers throughout the discussion of the bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller informed that, as the first item on today’s Thursday agenda, the first reading of the Isamaa faction's draft bill 562, which proposes closing the temporary border-control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation, and that the presenter is Riigikogu member Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
They point out that Estonia and other European security agencies have warned over the past year about a heightened threat of possible sabotage attacks by Russia's intelligence services, and similar terrorist acts have occurred in various allied countries as well.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He asks to pause for a moment and listen to the presenter, so that we can understand what's going on.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa called on the Riigikogu to consider temporarily closing the Estonia–Russia border as a control line, in order to reduce security risks and the possibility of violating sanctions rules, and to provide a clear response to the threat posed by the Estlink 2 sabotage.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair thanked, invited questions, and asked Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Hanimägi emphasized the general consensus on security matters, reminded that the national border can be closed quickly in accordance with the law, and urged people to trust the security authorities’ assessments and to let the government act on them, rather than produce separate threat assessments.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech calls for action, because your time has come.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They are asking the audience whether we should give this task.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stressed that consulting with security agencies is important, and the decision to close the borders is the government's political responsibility, under which the Police and Border Guard Board could recommend not to make any exceptions, and although the Russia–Ukraine ceasefire does not reduce the threat in our region, it could direct attention to the Baltic States and the Baltic Sea region.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the start of the speech, Jüri Jaanson is brought on stage.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson emphasized that sealing the borders is an extreme step that must be carefully weighed, and that the government has a better overview at the borders; therefore he asked what the substantive aim of this proposal is.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu claims that, although the government has more technical information, there is a lack of decisiveness; the decision to close the borders is not based on security considerations but on concerns about Narva residents' confusion and on protecting business interests, and Isamaa makes a proposal on this matter, based on the opinions of professional security officials and diplomats.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller appeals to Anti Haugas with a request.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas said that the openness of the border between the two countries is Estonia's shared interest, emphasized the security importance of border crossings and information exchange for Estonian citizens living in the Pskov Oblast, and finally asked whether to consider the option of a complete border closure.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The central message of the speech is that your time has come and you have the opportunity to act.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas asks what kind of solution would there be for Estonian citizens who may end up on the other side of the border.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech was simply a word of thanks, presented by Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the temporary closure of borders must take place at the prescribed time, and people must have the possibility to return to Estonia or continue moving, but border openness is necessary for smooth communication and cooperation with Russia, and one must take into account the risks of mass border crossings and information gathering.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Riina Solman is asked to take the floor.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasized that the draft bill is very important, and MPs in the Riigikogu should be kept more up to date on this issue and pressure to close the Russian border should be increased, because Russia engages in surprises on holidays and attention tends to wane, and she invited a former defence and foreign minister to speak about what the Russian authorities are capable of doing after sabotage and the breaking of pipelines.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that they are aware of attacks organized by Russian intelligence services aimed at deterring the public and decision-makers, which included murders, poisonings, the use of radioactive material, and explosives; and although the question of attribution and the closing of the Estonia–Russia border would not by themselves reduce the threat, limiting large‑scale border crossings helps to mitigate the risks, and the work of security authorities is important in the current situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair invited Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski to speak.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker asks why it is necessary to submit a proposal to the government regarding the closure of borders, what our current role is, and whether there are exemptions for crossing the border for humanitarian or other reasons.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Isamaa submitted a bill to force the government, in accordance with the State Border Act, to temporarily close border checkpoints and to order a risk assessment, because the government has not yet responded to their call and exemptions are the government's prerogative.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
During the speech, it is requested that Urve Tiidus come onto the stage.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They are requesting more precise data about the number of people crossing the Russia–Estonia border and about where they are headed—to the European Union, back to Russia, or staying in Estonia.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that, according to the precise statistics on border crossings, a large portion of the aforementioned are Russian citizens and hold Estonian residence permits, because the Republic of Estonia allows entry to citizens of the Russian Federation in a restricted category if they do not live in Estonia; more detailed data and the overall dynamics are kept in security authorities, and he requested fresh data this morning.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker recommends giving priority to establishing a temporary, quickly erected control line instead of closing border checkpoints, to ensure that not even a mouse can get through there, let alone a tank.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech requests that Helle-Moonika Helme be invited to perform.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasizes that the border must, of course, be built out and that all government steps to increase this capacity must be fully supported, but the problem currently lies elsewhere: even with a wall one kilometer high there is a door in the wall through which thousands of people go to and fro, and if mass legal border crossing is allowed, there are no risks in the mechanical linkage to border facilities, therefore it is rational to redirect the police officers who become available to border guard duties to mitigate the risks, because closing borders could create additional pressure for illegal border crossing.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman asks Karmen Joller to take the floor.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Joller asks whether we trust the decisions of competent authorities, such as the Police and Border Guard Board, or whether we should override them at the Riigikogu level, emphasizing that these are expert assessments and threat assessments, and if a member of the Riigikogu does not consider themselves competent to take such decisions, while noting that the number of border crossings in 2023 was about the same.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that information shortage and lack of competence are not signs of danger, but rather a hope to obtain higher-quality decisions, pointing to the billion-euro wind-energy project as an example, where the decision was made subjectively and without incorporating the assessments of experts, especially security agencies, and he emphasized that decision-making competence lies in the hands of the government, and that the preparation of the threat assessment must be reliable and fast.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman invites Siim Pohlaku onto the stage.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker recalls the 2012 pledge of visa-free travel with Russia and asks whether members of the Reform Party will continue with the same policy and vote against the bill, or have they changed their minds.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasized that visa-free travel with Russia is an important step for the country, but the government must, in making the decision, take into account both an operational threat assessment and the broader security risk, including mass border crossings and the movement of goods subject to sanctions, as well as threats to the diplomatic context arising from Russia's influence against the backdrop of previous provocations.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
In this format, every delegate has the opportunity to ask one question to either presenter, but Karmen Joller's question could not be accepted and had to be withdrawn from there; next up is Mait Klaassen.
Mait Klaassen
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mait Klaassen emphasized that numbers alone are not enough if you don't know what Russian citizens do on this side of the border after crossing and where they go, and asked how international conventions operate in such situations and whether the presented bill can also solve the massive rail freight transport problem.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that it's your time and you must act.
Mait Klaassen
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Closing the border divides families, and a question arises as to whether sanctions resulting from it will follow.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu addressed three issues — rail freight, people’s backgrounds and risks, and family reunification — and said that these arguments do not justify voting down the bill if the aim is to close border checkpoints with Estonia’s sovereign decision-making authority, emphasizing that the majority of movement consists of Estonian residents and that the issue of family reunification should be treated separately in an international context.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller turns to Evelin Poolametsa and asks her for something.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to the presenter, a 2023 study showed that the vitality of the border zone is fading and that mobile and internet connectivity is poor; if the bill is approved, the border zone must be viewed as a whole and state resources must be found so that life there can continue.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu highlighted two somewhat peculiar cases—the short-term restricted movement of Narva–Ivangorod business activity and the larger social impact in Southeast Estonia—and stressed that the government should assess options for mitigating their impact and, when making decisions, base them on the objective, the intention, the risks, and the mitigation of possible consequences.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech contained only a request: Vadim Belobrovtsev, please.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask what problems this draft actually solves, noting that there is no threat at the border and that this step will create humanitarian and economic problems.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a clear call to action: now is your time to act.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the government plans to commission in April a threat assessment from a security agency, emphasizing that threats and conditions can change over time and that a previous assessment may prove to be inadequate, and with this the aim is to mitigate risks at the Russia–Estonia border in the context of migration, illegal activities, and international relations, and the question of closing borders is linked to the need for a national response with the signaling value of the December Estlink 2 sabotage.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Vladimir Arhipov to come on stage.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov asks for clarification as to whether borders are being closed completely, and how relatives living in Estonia and Estonian citizens can communicate with their loved ones (by telephone or via the Internet), and what is done if there is a need to travel there.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that Estonia, for security reasons, has made the decision to restrict entry into the country by citizens of the Russian Federation, taking into account humanitarian considerations as well as examples from Finland's earlier practice.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair Arvo Aller emphasizes that in this format there is one question for each presenter, and asks Jüri Jaanson to present that question to the chair of the session.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson raises a procedural question as to whether the questioners or the deputies currently have the right of reply or the right to object when their names are mentioned here in connection with the matter under consideration, and notes that the rapporteur is waiting impatiently.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
To be honest, Arvo, the chair's procedure for the meeting has been interpreted very creatively.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller said that on this agenda item a reply speech cannot be given, and the answers must be provided on behalf of the faction during negotiations, and he added that a second question cannot be asked of Jüri Jaanson, and he asked Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asked a practical question about how border closures will affect the shipment of goods to Russia by companies connected to Kaja Kallas's husband, and whether they will be able to use the Latvian border in the future.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the government has sovereign authority to decide the extent of the closure of land borders, and if the borders close on the parliament's urging, the burden shifts to other countries, but the Finnish border for road transport is closed, and Estonian cargo is not growing explosively, and some goods are moving to rail transport.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The moderator asks Aleksei Jevgrafovil to take the floor.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
If this draft bill is adopted, it will be necessary to decide what to do for Estonian residents who own property in Russia.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The draft does not plan to close the borders, but sets the government the task of proposing restrictions on the entry of citizens of the Russian Federation and on the management of real estate, taking as an example the restrictions previously applied in Estonia and reminding that the final right of entry is determined by the Russian Federation itself.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Thank you, there were no questions, and next, Anti Haugas, a member of the Legal Committee, will speak as the presenter on behalf of the Steering Committee.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
At the March 10 session of the Riigikogu's Legal Affairs Committee, it was decided to bring draft Bill 562 to the plenary for its first reading and final vote on March 18; the proposal presented by Jaanus Karilaid to close all seven border checkpoints on the Estonia–Russia control line was accepted; the need to close the borders and the impact on Estonian citizens at the border were discussed; and by consensus it was decided to put the draft on the agenda and appoint Anti Haugas as the head of the lead committee.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanks and states that there are no questions, and opens negotiations between the factions and committees; Riina Solman, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, requests the floor.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasizes that Estonia's security requires the immediate closure of the Estonia–Russia borders due to the threat of Russian aggression and information operations, referring to the Narva events and the museum director's case, and notes that additional analyses are essential.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller asked that the presentation last for another three minutes.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman called for broader participation in broad-based national defense and for open discussion, criticized an elitist mindset, and stressed the need for public involvement to mitigate the risks of hybrid warfare and to support the Isamaa faction's draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Maris Lauri represents the Estonian Reform Party faction and requests three minutes of additional time.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri emphasized that Estonia must wait for a risk assessment before making decisions about closing borders and must make prudent decisions with a hot heart and a cool head, taking into account the variants of border closures, their impact on the citizens of Estonia and the European Union, and Russia's possible response.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov, as a representative of the Estonian Centre Party faction, requests three additional minutes.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The briefing emphasizes that the full customs control imposed at the Narva border and the possibility of closing the borders cause long queues and people's suffering, and stresses the need to open the borders, consider reopening the Narva-2 border crossing, and entrust the security decisions to the authorities in the name of peace.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice Chairman Arvo Aller announced that he would give the floor to Lauri Läänemets from the Estonian Social Democratic Party.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets asks the chair for extra time and asks for three more minutes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that a maximum of three is possible.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasized that Estonia must strengthen border guard and border protection with the creation of a drone barrier, greater armament and a crisis reserve, and be ready to seal the border within ten minutes, while at the same time maintaining a calm and measured policy so as not to let Russia exploit the situation by spending the country's resources.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu delivered a two-minute rebuttal from his seat, while the presenter praised Isamaa.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the closure of Narva-2 border crossing is based on security considerations, and the parliament should vote on the draft decision, emphasizing the existence of analyses and the importance of expressing Parliament's will, while there are disagreements between Isamaa and the Centre Party on opening the borders, and an international response to the destruction of Estlink 2 must be provided.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a call to action — your time has come.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
In light of all the circumstances, today it is reasonable to support this draft resolution.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chair Arvo Aller said that he could not respond to the reply speech, noting that Reinsalu mentioned Maris Laur, and he posed a procedural question to the chair of the session.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They want to know what to do in a situation where a colleague defames them and accuses them of quoting Dzerzhinsky.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy speaker Arvo Aller announced that a rebuttal cannot be delivered, negotiations are closed, and since this is a one-reading bill, the final vote begins, and he will submit for final voting the Riigikogu draft resolution 562 presented by the Isamaa faction, the aim of which is to close the temporary border control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
In the Riigikogu, the draft bill 562 was rejected: 14 in favor, 61 against, 0 abstentions, and with that today's first item on the agenda has been dealt with.