Finland has banned the entry of cars with Russian license plates: Estonia proposes to confiscate cars that are already in the country

On September 8, the European Commission presented instructions on the application of sanctions measures against goods imported from Russia, including cars, clothing and hygiene products, for EU member countries. It was subsequently clarified that customs authorities should pay special attention to cars, while other goods, including clothing, should be sanctioned “proportionately and reasonably.” Edition Meduza looked at how countries neighboring Russia intend to comply with these recommendations.

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Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia decided not to allow cars with Russian license plates onto their territory. The head of the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lauri Läänemets, expressed the opinion that Russian cars should not have been on Estonian territory at all, and proposed confiscating or re-registering them. However, this proposal did not receive support in the Conservative Party of Estonia (EKRE). The party's chairman, Martin Helme, pointed out that the problem is not that some people use cars with Russian registration, but that trade and movement of people continues across the eastern border. The Chairman of the Center Party faction, Tanel Kiik, noted that it is first necessary to establish whether these cars belong to Estonian residents or Russian residents.

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Latvian authorities announced that they will not confiscate cars with Russian license plates that are already on the territory of the European Union. Also, goods for personal use, such as hygiene products, cosmetics, clothing and phones, will not be confiscated from Russians when crossing the border. The Latvian Tax Service has emphasized that the import of personal items may be restricted if the import is in large quantities or if there is a suspicion of commercial purposes.

Finland initially did not plan to introduce a ban on the entry of Russian cars, but later changed its decision. On September 12, the country's Foreign Ministry said they would not comply with the EU's recommendation to ban entry or confiscate vehicles registered in Russia. However, already on September 15, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Elina Valtonen, announced the introduction of a ban on the entry into the country of cars with Russian registration, with some exceptions for EU citizens permanently residing in Russia and members of their families. According to the minister, cars with Russian license plates that are already in Finland will have to leave the country within six months, until March 16, 2024.

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Representatives of the Russian opposition spoke out against the ban on the entry of cars with Russian license plates. The Anti-Corruption Foundation appealed to the authorities of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with a request to reconsider the decision to ban.

The corresponding letters were published by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, Maria Pevchikh. According to the Fund, the imposed restrictions will negatively affect opponents of the Russian authorities, who are forced to leave Russia. In addition, the Fund believes that these restrictions could undermine the very idea of ​​sanctions.

In addition to the Anti-Corruption Foundation, politicians Lyubov Sobol and Maxim Katz, as well as the Anti-War Committee of Russia, which includes such participants as Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Sergei Guriev, Sergei Aleksashenko and others, made similar calls to the European authorities.

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