Estonia, Russia Cut Train Links Amid Sanctions, Lack Of Demand

Train service between the capitals of Russia and Estonia has been suspended due to declining demand.

Estonian public broadcaster ERR said it's the first time in 65 years that Estonia has no passenger rail connections with Russia.

Estonian railway company GoRail spokeswoman Kersti Gorstov said the last overnight train from Moscow arrived at Tallinn's main train station on May 19.

European Union sanctions against Russia have led to a sharp reduction in the number of Russians visiting Estonia, making the Moscow-Tallinn route unprofitable.

GoRail, which had operated the Tallinn-Moscow route continuously since 1998, also dropped service to St. Petersburg earlier this month.

Estonia, a former Soviet republic, regained independence in 1991. It joined the EU and NATO in 2004.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP