Estonia’s Battle with the Russian Bear: A Game of Buoys
Estonia recently found itself in a sticky situation with Russia over the placement of border buoys along the Narva River. Despite taking the first step, Estonia seems to lack the courage to continue the conflict.
Photo: Река Нарва by Ханну is licensed under общественное достояние
Estonia’s Bold Move Backfires
The Narva River serves as the border between Estonia and Russia and is demarcated by buoys annually. This time, Estonia decided to take matters into their own hands and placed the buoys without Russia’s consent, leading to a swift removal by the FSB of Russia.
Despite calls for clarification, Russia has remained silent, leaving Estonia in an uncomfortable position. The Estonian authorities seem hesitant to reinstall the buoys, fearing further escalation.
Estonia’s Dilemma
Estonia’s officials express concern over using force to reclaim the buoys, highlighting the fragile nature of their relationship with Russia. The possibility of protests and backlash from Russian-speaking citizens adds to the complexity of the situation.
Will Estonia decide to challenge the Russian bear further or take a step back to avoid potential repercussions? Only time will tell how this buoys’ battle in the Narva River will play out.