The issue of Estonia’s territorial claims to Russia is being raised by the republic’s politicians in order to “shake up anti-Russian sentiments” in the country.

This was stated in an interview with RT by the first deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Dzhabarov.

“I think this is counterproductive.

Estonia is our neighbor.

If they want to live amicably with their neighbors, they still have to start not with some mythical territorial claims, but raise the issue of improving relations between the two countries, ”Jabarov said.

So the first deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council commented on the words of the presidential candidate Henn Põlluaas from the right-wing EKRE party, who opposed the ratification of the border treaty with Russia.

According to Põlluaas, the Tartu Peace Treaty, concluded more than 100 years ago, is in force today, according to which part of the modern Pskov and Leningrad regions of Russia allegedly belongs to Estonia.

"There is no need and reason to legitimize the criminal occupation of Pechora and the territories beyond Narva," the ERR portal quotes Põlluaas as saying.

The head of the international committee of the State Duma Leonid Slutsky, in turn, noted that Põlluaas's words "could be called ordinary pre-election rhetoric," however, "the broadcast of such a position is increasingly postponing" the ratification of the Russian-Estonian border agreement.

“It remains to be regretted that Estonian politicians are not worried about the fact that the border with Russia is still not legally secured, it is more convenient for them to hold it“ hostage ”, declaring a“ criminal occupation ”to attract the electorate,” he wrote in his Telegram- channel.

As a reminder, on July 4, EKRE approved the politician as a presidential candidate.

On the same day, Põlluaas moved to the post of deputy chairman of the party, before that he was the head of this political force.

From April 2019 to March 2021, Põlluaas served as speaker of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament).

The politician has repeatedly opposed the border treaty with Russia.

So, in February, in his speech in honor of the 103rd anniversary of the proclamation of Estonia's independence, he stressed that the country does not need to conclude such an agreement with Russia.

Põlluaas also pointed out that Estonia has no corresponding obligations, stressing that Moscow allegedly treats Tallinn with "open enmity."

At the same time, the treaty on the Estonian-Russian border, which was signed by the parties in 2014, but was never ratified, was called "treacherous" by Põlluaas, since Russia allegedly occupied Pechory and the territory beyond Narva.

The politician also said that in 2021 Tallinn celebrated the 101st anniversary of the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty, which, in his opinion, operates "in accordance with international law."

Põlluaas also spoke about the Russian-Estonian border, enshrined in the Tartu Peace Treaty, in his New Year's address to the country's residents.

Then the Governor of the Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko, in response, urged Estonian politicians not to include "electoral memory" in issues that relate to the historical past.

In 2020, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, calling the Treaty of Tartu “the birth certificate of the Estonian state”, also stated that the borders established in Europe following World War II did not need to be revised.

“The opposite rhetoric creates unnecessary confusion,” said Kersti Kaljulaid during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Tartu.

  • Session of the Estonian Parliament

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The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, in turn, noted that the Tartu Treaty "has long belonged to history."

“Its effect, like other international agreements that Estonia had, including with Soviet Russia in the period 1920-1940, ceased on August 6, 1940 with the entry of Estonia into the USSR.

This topic is closed for us forever, ”she stated.

Zakharova also noted that both sides are interested in ratifying the agreements on the border between Moscow and Tallinn. 

History of the issue

Let us remind you that after the Soviet Union collapsed and Estonia gained independence, the delimitation and demarcation of the Estonian-Russian border did not take place.

This is still hindered by the position of the Estonian authorities, according to which the Tartu Peace Treaty is supposedly valid even now.

The document signed by Tallinn and the RSFSR in 1920 provided for the independence of Estonia.

In addition, according to the agreement, parts of the modern Pskov and Leningrad regions of Russia were transferred to Tallinn.

In 1940, the Estonian state entered the USSR, and therefore the Tartu Peace Treaty ceased to be in effect.

“Estonia, as a state that existed from 1918 to 1940, lost its status of a subject of international law due to joining the USSR, and the Treaty of Tartu lost its force, since both parties who signed it were included in the same subject of international law - the USSR.

In addition, it is absent in the register of existing UN international treaties, ”the Russian Foreign Ministry explained earlier.

However, the modern Estonian authorities refuse to admit that the Tartu Peace Treaty has already expired.

The constitution of the republic says that the land border of the state was established by this document and "other interstate treaties on borders."

At the same time, the ratification of documents that change the country's borders requires the support of two-thirds of the parliament.

In 2005, Russia and Estonia came to a compromise and signed agreements on the state border.

But when they got into the Riigikogu, the parliamentarians passed a ratification law that referred to the 1920 Treaty of Tartu.

In this regard, Russia was forced to revoke its signature on the documents.

Subsequently, the parties decided to resume negotiations on the border.

In February 2014, Moscow and Tallinn signed new agreements and began the procedure for their ratification.

The parties agreed that for the documents to enter into force, it would be necessary to create a non-confrontational atmosphere.

However, as the Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated, this condition was never met by Tallinn.

"Weakness of positions"

As Vladimir Olenchenko, senior researcher at the Center for European Studies at the IMEMO RAS, noted in an interview with RT, the statement of the presidential candidate Henn Põlluaasa should be considered primarily in the context of the internal political struggle in the republic.

“Põlluaas has often quite aggressively spoke out against Russia and continues to do so.

Moreover, the theme of the Treaty of Tartu runs like a red thread throughout his political career.

Now he is trying to earn credibility in political circles on Russophobia.

And this only speaks of the weakness of his position, and also causes bewilderment, ”the expert said.

Olenchenko recalled that the President of Estonia is elected by parliament members or members of the electoral college.

“That is why Põlluaas wants to attract more members of the riiigikogu to his side, who still cannot understand that one should not live with phobias and chimeras of the past, but arrange relations based on today's realities.

If Põlluaas really thought about the fate of his homeland, he would not have made anti-Russian statements, but would have concentrated on how to organize the country's economy, improve the well-being of people and build good relations with neighbors, including Russia, ”said analyst.

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In turn, Vladimir Shapovalov, deputy director of the Institute of History and Politics at Moscow State Pedagogical University, noted in a commentary to RT that Põlluaas's rhetoric speaks of an unfriendly attitude towards Russia on the part of the Estonian political establishment.

“At the same time, they have no legal grounds to declare any territorial claims to a part of the territory of the Russian Federation.

This kind of rhetoric is the only reason why the documents on the Russian-Estonian border, signed in 2014, have not yet been ratified.

The aggressive position of Estonian politicians, infected with Russophobia and supporting the idea of ​​territorial seizure of a part of the sovereign territory of Russia, stalled this process, ”the expert said.

Shapovalov also explained that with their anti-Russian statements, politicians inside the republic want to somehow rally society, distract it from real problems inside the country.

“Similar messages will continue to come from the Estonian political establishment. At the same time, not all Estonians share such views; many people want friendly relations between the two countries. However, it cannot be ruled out that subsequently the ruling leadership will begin to approach the normalization of relations with Russia and move on to constructive solutions, ”he concluded.