The Tartu Peace Treaty concluded in 1920 between the RSFSR and Estonia is in effect, which means that part of the right bank of the Narva River and the Pechora region belongs to the republic. This was stated by the speaker of the Estonian parliament Henn Põlluaas, reports Interfax .
In his New Year’s greetings, he recalled that February 2 marked the centenary of the agreement, within the framework of which Russia recognized the independence of Estonia and decided on the borders. “Then the border between Estonia and Russia was agreed, which, according to international law, is still in effect today,” Põlluaas emphasized.
Meanwhile, Moscow recognizes the Treaty of Tartu only as a historical document and does not consider it valid. The fact is that later, after Estonia joined the USSR, the territory passed to the RSFSR. Thus, the statement of the speaker of the Estonian parliament can be regarded as territorial claims against Russia.
Negotiations on the border between Russia and Estonia have been going on for many years. In 2005, the parties signed the first border treaty, but during ratification the Estonian side included in it a reference to the Tartu Peace Treaty, after which Moscow withdrew the signature. In 2014, the countries signed a new agreement that has not yet been ratified.
In December 2020, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a law on punishing actions aimed at alienating the country’s territories. He also approved fines of up to 500 thousand rubles for public calls for such actions.
At the same time, the Estonian authorities reported about completed the installation of the first section of the barbed fence wire on the border with Russia, which will contribute to security EU .