Estonia Removes Soviet-era Monument, Citing Public Order

A bridge straddles Ivangorod, Russia, left, and a border crossing in Narva, Estonia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Estonia's government said Tuesday Aug. 16, 2022, that it has decided to remove a Soviet monument in this town sitting in the Baltic country's Russian-speaking part, with the prime minister saying the reason for the dismantling is that it represents a risk for public order. (AP Photo, File)

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By Associated Press

August 16, 2022 at 9:08 AM UTC

Updated on

August 16, 2022 at 10:27 AM UTC

Copenhagen, Denmark (AP) -- Estonia's government said Tuesday it has decided to remove a Soviet-era monument from public space in an eastern border town sitting in the Baltic country's Russian-speaking part, with the prime minister saying the reason for the dismantling is that it represents a risk for public order.

“No one wants to see our militant and hostile neighbor foment tensions in our home,” Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said, adding the move came following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We will not afford Russia the opportunity to use the past to disturb the peace in Estonia.”