The Estonian government decided “as soon as possible” to remove all Soviet monuments from public space. This decision was made at a government meeting on Thursday, July 4, reports Interfax.

“At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, we discussed in detail how to proceed with the removal of memorials with the symbols of the occupying power of public space. According to estimates, there are 200-400 of them in Estonia. The main thing was decided – the red monuments should be removed from public space, and we will do so as soon as possible,” the agency said, quoting Estonian Prime Minister Kai Kallas at a press conference after the meeting.

Kallas specified that “the specific time and order depends on the readiness and logistics of the local authorities” – as the monuments belong to them.

In Narva, they fear a repeat of history with the “Bronze Soldier”

Kallas paid special attention to the monument to the T-34 tank in the city of Narva, located on the Russian border and home to more than 90% of the Russian-speaking population. Estonia’s prime minister does not rule out that its dismantling could cause tension in society, as many local residents are opposed to it. Therefore, the government must “take responsibility” for carrying out this operation, Kallas said.

On Wednesday and Thursday night, August 4, dozens of people were already seen around the monument. According to the police, while they behaved calmly.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said “the tank should be removed within a month” if necessary, calling an extraordinary meeting of parliament to do so. He recalled the mass demonstrations of the country’s Russian-speaking population in 2007, when he carried the monument to Tallinn’s warrior-liberator from the Nazis “Bronze Soldier”. Then, as a result of the outbreak of riots, one person died. According to Reinsalu, if the government allows the conflict over the T-34 tank in Narva to continue, it could lead to similar consequences.

Estonia stopped issuing residence permits to Russian citizens

On July 28, the Estonian government, by its decree, prohibited the granting of temporary residence permits and study visas to Russian citizens. Urmas Reinsalu explained these measures by the need to “ensure relentless pressure” on Russia to stop its aggression against Ukraine. “This will have a positive effect on our own security,” added the head of Estonia’s Foreign Ministry.

In June, Kaja Kallas asked NATO to send divisions of 20,000 to 25,000 alliance troops to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to defend against a hypothetical Russian invasion. Shortly before that, the Russian ambassador was summoned to the Estonian Foreign Ministry because of Putin’s words about Narva’s “return”.