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Estonia pushes Europe to ban Russian ex-combatants from Schengen area

'Sooner Or Later This Problem Will Be On Your Soil': Estonia Pushes Europe To Bar Russian FightersEstonian Security Official: 'We Have To Be Realists' Regarding Threats From Russia

Estonia pushed for an EU-wide ban on Russian ex-combatants entering the Schengen area after Russia conducted its first unannounced live-fire exercise on Lake Peipus near the Estonian border.

Estonia argues that Europe must prepare for both military threats and hybrid warfare, including foreign influence operations. This move marks a significant escalation in Estonia's call for European security preparedness against Russia.

Estonian Perspective

Estonian officials argue that Europe must treat Russian ex-combatants as a serious hybrid warfare threat, preparing for foreign influence operations alongside traditional military risks after their unannounced live-fire exercise on the border.

  • Lake Peipus has been a strategic border between Estonia and Russia since the 13th century, with the Treaty of Dorpat (1242) establishing early boundaries.
  • Russia's unannounced live-fire exercise on Lake Peipus was the first such military action visible directly from Estonian soil since 2024.
  • Estonia has consistently ranked among the top NATO countries in defense spending per capita, with military expenditures reaching 3.5% of GDP in 2025.
Estonia pushes Europe to ban Russian ex-combatants from Schengen area | Implica