Estonia

Mayor of Estonia’s Capital Blames Alcohol Availability for Persistent Public Nuisance

Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski has emphasized the need for long-term structural solutions to address alcohol-related social issues in the capital, rather than superficial measures such as removing benches from public…

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New synthetic opioid spreads across the Baltic states

The widespread proliferation of nitazenes—a highly potent class of synthetic opioids—has emerged as a key factor behind the sharp increase in drug overdose deaths in Estonia in recent years, ERR.ee…

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Estonia says Russia sent jet after attempt to stop sanction-breaking ship

Estonia said on Thursday that Moscow had briefly sent a military jet into NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea during an attempt to stop a Russian-bound oil tanker thought to…

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Tallinn looking to introduce tourist tax

Deputy Mayor of Tallinn Margot Roose (Eesti 200) made the suggestion in response to a document from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. It forecasts an increase in tourist flows over…

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Hot summer leads to Estonian butter shortage

Some stores in Estonia are experiencing a shortage of butter, which has been caused by the summer weather, producers believe. Farmi and Tere board member Ülo Kivine explained that the…

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Estonia Confirms Stance on EU Top Posts

The Estonian government has formalized its position on filling top European Union roles, a process that continues in the latter half of this year following the recent elections. Estonia's primary…

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Estonians cast first votes in European Parliament election

The first votes have been cast in the European Parliament election. The official election dates are June 6 to 9, with most countries going to the polls on Sunday (June…

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Estonia says Russia violates international rules with GPS interference

Estonia accused Russia of violating international airspace regulations by interfering with GPS signals and the Baltic nation's foreign minister said it will take up the matter with its NATO and…

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Estonia’s Kaja Kallas backs Mark Rutte for NATO top job

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas — herself an unofficial candidate for NATO's top job — said she backs her Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte for the secretary-general post. "For a strong…

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To fight Russia, Estonia must increase its defence spending, warns military head

The head of Estonia's military said that his country needs to double defence spending over the next two years to stockpile enough munitions to inflict a decisive defeat on any…

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Estonian PM Kallas to BBC: Putin afraid of war with NATO

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in an interview to BBC that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is very good at sowing fear in Western societies, while he is also afraid of…

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Estonia stops a hybrid operation by Russia and arrests ten

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas revealed that the country’s security service had broken up a Russian hybrid operation. The operation involved damaging property and defacing monuments, including an attack on…

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Russia will not intimidate me, Estonia’s Kallas says

By John Irish Kallas seen as potential candidate for top EU job Russia has placed her on wanted list Kallas pushing for EU bonds for defence spending MUNICH, (Reuters) -…

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Estonia accuses Russia of stoking migrant influx

Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said on Thursday Russia extended a provocative measure, originally aimed at Finland, to Estonia by “deliberately” allowing asylum seekers without visas or residence permits to reach…

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Three Baltic pipe and cable incidents ‘are related’, Estonia says

By Andrius Sytas and Anne Kauranen VILNIUS/HELSINKI, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The three incidents that resulted in damage to a gas pipeline and two telecom cables between Estonia, Finland and…

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NATO boosts Baltic patrols

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - NATO is stepping up patrols in the Baltic Sea following recent damage to undersea infrastructure in the region, the transatlantic military alliance said. "The increased measures include…

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Estonia’s Kallas dismayed by Hungary’s Orban handshake with “criminal” Putin

By John Irish The images of EU member state Hungary's prime minister shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin were "very, very unpleasant" and defied logic given Budapest's past history…

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Estonia PM Kallas under pressure to quit over husband’s Russia ties

By Andrius Sytas VILNIUS (Reuters) - Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas faced pressure to resign after reports that her husband has part ownership of a company that has kept operations…

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Estonia charges six ex-Danske Bank branch staff in money laundering case

Estonia's state prosecutor said on Monday she had charged six people with laundering at least $1.6 billion and 6 million euros ($6.58 million) at the defunct Estonian office of Danske…

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Estonia PM focused on defence spending and same sex marriage law

By Andrius Sytas TALLINN, (Reuters) - Kaja Kallas said she was focused on her next term as Estonian prime minister despite media speculation she could be in the running to…

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Estonia’s Kaja Kallas secures government coalition agreement

Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has reached an agreement with two other political parties to form a new coalition government. The coalition deal will be formally signed on Monday. About…

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RAF and German jets intercept Russian aircraft near Estonian airspace

The BBCreported that RAF and German fighter jets have intercepted a Russian aircraft near Estonian airspace in the first joint operation of its kind. The two Typhoons were scrambled on…

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Estonia’s Kallas in first place in parliamentary election

By Andrius Sytas TALLINN (Reuters) - The Reform party of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas secured first place in Sunday's parliamentary election, a result that should ensure Tallinn remains one…

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Estonia goes to polls in a test for pro-Kyiv government

TALLINN, March 5 (Reuters) - Estonians go to the polls on Sunday as one of Europe's most staunchly pro-Kyiv governments faces a challenge from a far-right party seeking to capitalise…

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Estonia procured twice as much ammunition in 2022 than in previous 30 years

In 2022 and in the wake of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Estonian state acquired double the volume of ammunition as it had in the preceding 30 years,…

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United States says ready to defend Baltic allies

VILNIUS (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States was ready to defend the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania if required, and will keep its…

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Estonian intelligence service says Baltic security risk rising

VILNIUS, Feb 8 (Reuters) - The EFIS, Estonia's intelligence service said on Wednesday it believed Russia still has the strength to exert "credible military pressure" on the Baltic region and…

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U.S. judge accepts Danske Bank guilty plea in $2 bln pact to end Estonia probe

A U.S. judge on Thursday accepted Danske Bank's guilty plea to a bank fraud conspiracy charge and agreement to pay more than $2 billion to end probes into anti-money laundering…

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Municipalities in Estonia to decide on electric scooter speed limits

The Ministry of Economy has finalized amendments to the Road Traffic Act, which, among other things, will give municipalities the right to impose speed limits on electric scooters, specify parking…

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Estonia military expert warns no cause of optimism Russia about to run out of conventional munitions

Winter in Ukraine will see mutual barrages on enemy positions and continued Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure. Russia may have lost the initiative in the war, while there are no…

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Two Estonian citizens arrested in $575 million cryptocurrency fraud, money laundering scheme

Two Estonian citizens were arrested in Tallinn, Estonia, on an 18-count indictment for their alleged involvement in a $575 million cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering conspiracy, the U.S. Justice Department…

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Some Russian citizens in Estonia voluntarily turning in firearms

Police officials in Estonia said that some Russian citizens living in Estonia have begun voluntarily relinquishing their firearms as the country prepares for the implementation of planned changes to weapons…

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Estonian PM tells nation to prepare for blackouts if Russia switches off power grid

By Andrius Sytas VILNIUS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told her nation that power blackouts are possible if Russia kicks the Baltic states from the joint…

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Estonia purchases Piorun anti-aircraft missile systems from Poland

WARSAW, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Estonia on Wednesday signed a deal with Poland to purchase Piorun anti-aircraft missile systems, designed to target low-flying aircraft such as helicopters and drones. "This…

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EU states bordering Russia searching for ways to halt tourist entry

European Union member States bordering with the Russian Federation, including Estonia, are actively holding talks to find jointly ways to limit scope for Russian citizens entering the European Union through…

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Estonia aims to stop most Russians from entering country within weeks

(Reuters) - Estonia aims to stop most Russians from entering the country within weeks, if possible acting in concert with its regional partners, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said. "It takes…

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Estonian PM Kallas speaks up in support of Finnish colleague Marin after dancing video leak

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has spoken up in support of her Finnish counterpart, Sanna Marin, as the latter faces a backlash over a leaked video in which she was dancing…

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SUVs to be requisitioned if Estonia declares defense emergency

SUVs will be requisitioned by the state should Estonia declare martial law or if there is an emergency related to defense, Eesti Ekspress reported. The Defense Resources Agency (Kaitseressursside Amet)…

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Estonia says it repelled major cyber attack

Estonia has repelled "the most extensive cyber attacks since 2007", shortly after removing Soviet monuments in a region with an ethnic Russian majority. Russian hacker group Killnet claimed responsibility for…

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Estonian visa cancellation has ordinary Russians worried

Estonia this week will close its border to more than 50,000 Russians with previously issued visas, the first country in the European Union to do so, making it harder for…

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Latvia, Estonia withdraw from China cooperation group

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Latvia and Estonia withdrew from a cooperation group between China and over a dozen Central and Eastern European countries on Thursday, following in the footsteps of Baltic…

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Estonia to stop Russians from entering with Estonian-issued visas

Estonia said it will from next week prevent most Russians from entering the country with visas issued by Estonian authorities, cutting off a popular route into Europe's passport-free Schengen zone.…

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Estonia protests to Russia about ‘unacceptable’ violation of its airspace

Estonia summoned the Russian ambassador and formally protested about the violation of its airspace by a Russian helicopter on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said. "Estonia considers this an extremely serious…

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Estonia stops issuing visas, residence permits for Russian students

(Reuters) - Estonia announced it would no longer issue visas or residence permits for Russian citizens wanting to study in the small Baltic country, saying the invasion of Ukraine threatened…

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Estonian PM regains ruling majority, warns of tough times ahead

TALLINN (Reuters) - The new cabinet of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas was sworn in on Monday, re-establishing political stability, but she warned of tough times ahead for the economy…

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Estonian parliament confirms PM Kallas to lead new government

The new Estonian coalition has voted to reappoint Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, in a move likely to ensure stability in the European Union state until a March 2023 election. The…

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Baltic tensions rise as Estonia protests to Russia over airspace violation

(Reuters) - Estonia summoned the Russian ambassador on Tuesday to protest an "extremely serious" violation of its airspace by a Russian helicopter, the second time in less than two weeks…

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Estonia PM set to regain majority in parliament

VILNIUS, June 11 (Reuters) - Estonian conservative opposition party Isamaa said on Saturday it would seek to join the Baltic country's government, putting Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and her liberal Reform Party…

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Sweden, Finland NATO membership would increase Baltic security – Estonia

BERLIN, May 16 (Reuters) - Sweden and Finland joining NATO would increase the security of the Baltic region, Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets said. "When we see that in our neighbourhood also other democratic…

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Estonia calls for EU sanctions on Russia oil and gas transport

TALLINN, April 21 (Reuters) - The European Union should impose trade sanctions on the transport of Russian oil and gas, Estonia's foreign minister said on Thursday. "The war against Ukraine must become…

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Baltic nations expel ten Russian diplomats

VILNIUS, March 18 (Reuters) - Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have expelled a total of ten Russian diplomats, the foreign ministries of the three Baltic countries said on Friday. Lithuania expelled four diplomats…

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Estonian PM warns hard times lie ahead but ‘freedom is priceless’

European leaders have to be "honest" with their citizens about the negative effects that EU sanctions against Russia might bring upon people's daily life, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said…

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Moral duty to give Ukraine a membership perspective – Estonian PM

The European Union has a moral duty to give Ukraine a membership perspective, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told the European Parliament this morning. She said that Ukraine was not…

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In policy shift, Finland approves field guns export by Estonia to Ukraine

HELSINKI, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Finland is to allow neighbouring Estonia to export to Ukraine Soviet-origin howitzer field guns, which were previously sold to Estonia by Finland but could not legally be…

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Estonia appeals for American fighter jets to the Baltics to defend its airspace

Estonia has asked the United States to send fighter jets to the Baltic states to defend their skies, amid worries that Russia could be poised for an attack on Ukraine…

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Putin is ‘enjoying himself’ with military build-up, Estonian premier says

Estonia's prime minister said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is enjoying the international attention generated by Russia's massive military drills on Ukraine's borders and is looking for a successful war…

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Russia ‘likely’ to launch ‘limited’ military attack against Ukraine, says Estonian intelligence

Russia is continuing to move troops to the Ukrainian border and will likely launch a "limited" military attack against the country, the head of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service said. The attack…

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