Estonia is banning Russian ships from entering its ports starting Sunday as part of the EU sanctions against Moscow over its special military operation in Ukraine, the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure announced.

"From Sunday, April 17, ships flying the Russian flag are banned from entering ports of the EU, including Estonia. This is one of the sanctions measures previously approved by the European Union," the ministry said in a statement.

The Estonian ministry also indicated that "EU ports are also closed from now on for ships that changed their flag from Russian to another flag after February 24." 

Bulgaria bans Russian-flagged ships

Vessels with the Russian flag in distress will still be allowed to enter Estonian ports in exceptional circumstances with the permission of Police and Border Guard Board, which will determine in advance the need for assistance.

Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas said that the EU is rethinking its economic activity in favor of greater independence from Russia.

Bulgaria has also confirmed enacting the ban on Russian-flagged ships on Sunday.

Fifth EU package of anti-Russian sanctions

On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces.

Western countries and their allies responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Russia.

The European Union has also vowed to reduce its dependency on Russian energy.

On April 8, the EU announced the fifth package of anti-Russian sanctions, which included a ban on imports of coal and other solid fossils from the country starting from August 2022, a ban on the entry of Russian ships into EU ports, and restrictions on Russian and Belarusian road transport companies.