WATCH: Estonia removes WWII Soviet tank statue and threatens to revoke protestors´ visas

Estonia has begun the removal of a WWII Soviet tank statue, threatening to revoke the residency of any foreign protesters.

Update 11.17.am (August 16) Videos of the removal of the WWII Soviet tank statue in Estonia began to circulate on social media:

“In the Estonian city of Narve, the dismantling of the T-34 memorial tank has begun. The monument will be transferred to the museum by the decision of the Estonian government.”

“The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu, said that if any of the foreigners residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit participate in protests against the demolition of monuments, they risk losing their residence permit.”

2/2 The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu, said that if any of the foreigners residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit participate in protests against the demolition of monuments, they risk losing their residence permit.

— FLASH (@Flash_news_ua) August 16, 2022

Original 1.26.pm (August 4) Estonia is set to remove a WWII Soviet T-34 tank statue in Narva, a move that has reportedly enraged Russia, as reported on Thursday, August 4.

Estonia’s Foreign Minister spoke on the decision to remove the WWII Soviet T-34 tank on Russia’s border in the city of Narva:

“It is realistic to solve the issue within this month,” commented Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu on the intention to demolish the monument to the Soviet fighters against Nazi invaders, as reported by ERR.

Many people have reportedly objected to the plans to demolish the monument, as they believe it is an act of “uncultivation”.

The Estonian diplomat has called the defenders of historical memory and dignity “provocateurs” and the monument “a symbol of aggression, a symbol of an aggressive state.”

Foreign Minister Lauri Läänemets stated: “The last few days have shown that the monument has become a public order issue. As soon as possible doesn’t mean tomorrow, or the day after, or overnight, secretly. We want to do it right, and we have to think about what happens afterwards.”

He added: “We have to remember that Narva must remain Estonian and be in good hands. Narvians should participate in working out a solution.”

“For Estonia, the monument is not a symbol of freedom. Soviet monuments symbolise a period when Estonia lost its freedom. Given the moments that happened in Ukraine in February, it all reminds Estonian society of that.”

The news of Estonia planning to remove the WWII Soviet T-34 Tank follows reports of Estonia proposing Schengen visas for Russians to the EU after Russia lifted Covid border crossing restrictions on July 15, leading to an increase of Russians crossing Estonia’s border.

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