France Condemns Russian Provocations at the Borders of Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania, EU Demands Explanations

French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sejourne has condemned Russia's increased provocations against neighbouring NATO member states.   He expressed solidarity with the allies after Russia's "unacceptable aggressive actions".

"Russia has stepped up its provocations on the EU's borders in Estonia, Finland and Lithuania. We express our full solidarity with Estonia, Finland and Lithuania in the face of these unacceptable aggressive actions. We are closely monitoring the situation together with our allies, who are acting calmly and prudently," the French Foreign Minister wrote.  

In turn, the EU demands that Russia explain its unacceptable actions on the border with Estonia regarding the removal of buoys on the Estonian-Russian border on the Narva River and demands that the stolen buoys be immediately returned to their place.

This was stated in a statement on Friday by EU diplomat Josep Borrell.

On 23 May, at 3am, Russian border guards unilaterally removed the light buoys installed by Estonia to demarcate the border with Russia on the Narva River.  The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador after the Russian military stole the border buoys.

On 22 May, the aggressor country, Russia, decided to unilaterally change the country's maritime borders with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea in its favour. Lithuania, Latvia and Finland reacted sharply to such Russian "plans".