On the Foreign Scene
Estonia has warned residents they will be banned from the EU if they join Vladimir Putin’s army, as Finland looks set to stop Russian tourists from crossing its border.
On Wednesday, Russia’s leader – faced with a series of defeats in Ukraine – announced a partial mobilisation that could see 300,000 reserves called up to fight.
The threat of mass conscription has sparked protests around the country, and military-aged men have continued to flee in droves.
In Estonia, some 20,000 residents with Russian citizenship that could be called up have been warned against answering the draft.
Eerik-Niiles Kross, an Estonian politician, diplomat, and former chief of intelligence said they will not stop anyone to follow the orders but participation in a crime against peace is a criminal offence under Estonian law.
He said that an Estonian resident joining the Russian military in war against Ukraine will lose the residency permit and will be banned from the EU and there is no return for those who go.