Estonia considers installing buoys in its waters surrounding Narva.
Estonia Prepares to Install Navigation Buoys in Narva River Amidst Failed Negotiations with Russia
Estonia has declared its intent to install navigation buoys in the Narva River within its territorial waters, should bilateral negotiations with Russia on their deployment fail. This announcement was made by Estonia's Interior Minister, Igor Taro, as reported by ERR.
According to Taro, if a mutually acceptable agreement is not reached, Estonia will proceed with the installation of buoys. He also anticipated that representatives from the European Agency for the Protection of External Borders would monitor these buoys.
Ongoing discussions between Tallinn and Moscow have yet to result in a signed agreement. Previously in May, Estonia's Foreign Ministry accused Russia of detaining the Green Admire oil tanker at the exit from the port of Sillamae.
The negotiation process has proven to be fruitless, with no progress made despite multiple attempts at reconciliation over the past year. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since described the negotiations as futile, citing Russia's unwillingness to cooperate.
While the exact reasons for the breakdown in negotiations are unclear, tensions between both nations have been escalating for some time, as suggested by a political scientist commenting on the situation. This expert noted that the decision to end negotiations and refrain from installing new buoys this year further confirms the significant deterioration in their relations.
In the current geopolitical climate, agreements regulating the Narva River issues may have diminished in effectiveness, effectively isolating Estonia within this context. As of May 30, 2025, Estonia has formally terminated negotiations with Russia over Narva River navigation buoys, heralding a clear halt to diplomatic discussions between the two countries on this specific issue.
If negotiations between Estonia and Russia on the deployment of navigation buoys in the Narva River fail, general-news reports indicate that Estonia's Interior Minister, Igor Taro, has confirmed that Estonia will proceed with the installation, under the watch of representatives from the European Agency for the Protection of External Borders. This decision follows months of stalled discussions and is seen by some political experts as a reflection of the escalating strains in the political relationship between the two nations.
