The Russian Foreign Ministry, against the backdrop of the European Commission’s explanations regarding the ban on entry into the EU in cars with Russian license plates, called on Russians to “carefully weigh all the risks” when planning trips abroad. The department's statement is quoted by Interfax.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Russian citizens to “show increased vigilance and restraint” when traveling to “unfriendly” countries, and also called for “taking into account that when crossing the border, an individual voluntarily submits himself to foreign jurisdiction, which implies the obligation to comply with the laws and regulations of the country you are visiting.”
Previously, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania introduced a ban on crossing the border in cars with Russian license plates, however, the countries interpret the explanation of the European Commission on September 8 differently.
For example, the Finnish authorities reported that the entry ban will not affect EU citizens and their relatives, diplomatic mission employees and those entering Finland for humanitarian reasons. At the same time, cars with Russian license plates that are already in Finland will have to leave the country before March 16, 2024.
The Latvian Tax Service said that it will not confiscate cars with Russian license plates from Russians if the cars are already in the country. Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Jovita Neliupsiene said that upon entering Lithuania, customs will confiscate cars registered in Russia, regardless of the citizenship of the person driving. The Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that cars with Russian license plates will be returned back to the non-EU country from which they came.
Estonia promised to allow Russian ambulances across the border after the Russian service «Bi- BBC told the story of a resident of Mariupol with terminal cancer, who was transported across the border of Russia and Estonia in a wheelchair. Volunteers did not enter the border checkpoint in an ambulance, “fearing the confiscation of a car with Russian license plates.”
The car will not pass. What has changed in the rules for entry into the European Union from Russia