Government introduces a sanction to defend against hostile influence activities by Russia and Belarus
Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
19.12.2024
The Foreign Minister today submitted a proposal to the government on imposing a sanction to defend Estonia against hostile influence activities by Russia and Belarus.
The sanction bans the organisation of the participation of up to 21-year-old Estonian citizens or people with an Estonian residence permit or right of residence in events that are held in the interests of Russia or Belarus on the territories of these states or on Ukrainian territories illegally occupied or annexed by Russia, and which justify or support the policy of aggression or armed forces of Russia and Belarus, the war of aggression against Ukraine, or the occupation or annexation of Ukrainian territory. Knowingly or immediately contributing to participating in these events is also prohibited.
The sanction prohibits accepting any resources or subsidies from organisations, entities or individuals who organise or support the banned activities mentioned above.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Russia's tools for conducting influence activities include language, culture, education, sports, history, Russian Orthodox Church and propaganda media, and it targets young people from Europe whose participation in events organised by the Kremlin in Russia, Belarus or occupied and annexed Ukrainian territories brings an international dimension and attention to these events, and spreads messages justifying Russia's aggression and occupation.
"Russia is looking for ways to justify its aggression and spread its narrative, and one option is to do it through culture, youth work, and sports," Tsahkna said. "It is particularly sinister that the influence activities are targeting children and young people who may not realise that there is danger lurking behind a nice opportunity."
Tsahkna underlined that the deterring sanction is not aimed at young people and children; instead, it targets those who organise and support these events.
Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets said it was morally unacceptable that there were attempts to take advantage of children and young people to conduct influence activities. "The children's camps organised in Russia and Belarus are clearly ideologically charged, and they centre on perpetuating the Russian imperialist mindset. If at first, the issue is shaping the thinking of young people and luring them into Russian propaganda space, we must be aware that these camps are also a fertile ground for creating contact networks and recruiting, which the special services of Russia can later exploit," Läänemets said. Läänemets said the contacts made in these camps might make it possible to later recruit participants, including against their will, to commit crimes against our state and society.
"Even parents are not always aware of these risks, let alone the children or young people themselves; therefore it is obvious that the state does everything it can to shield young people from these risks. Anyone who wishes to recruit our young people and children to these camps for financial gain must realise that they are facing real prison time," Minister Läänemets emphasised. He added that the risks above are also present in other formats organised by hostile states, such as international competitions, contests, festivals, concerts, Olympiads, seminars, and study programmes. "This is why it is generally recommended to avoid travelling to these states and refrain from participating in any events in Russia or Belarus. One way or another, the organisation of these events is always connected to state institutions," Läänemets noted.
The sanction serves, above all, as a deterrent, but violations may result in financial penalties or up to five years in prison.
The government approved the introduction of the sanction.
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