Estonian president: Ukraine should decide its own future

  • 2017-01-23
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN - Ukraine should be able to decide its own future, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid said at her meeting with the Ukrainian head of state, Petro Poroshenko, in Tallinn on Monday.

Kaljulaid and Poroshenko focused at the Monday's meeting on the situation in eastern Ukraine, the relations between Ukraine and the European Union, and implementation of reforms in Ukraine, the office of the Estonian president said.

Kaljulaid emphasized after the meeting that the sanctions against Russia must remain in place until the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. "Ukraine's territorial integrity must be restored and Russia must stop destabilizing Ukraine," she said.

Commenting on the Ukraine-EU relations, Kaljulaid stated that Estonia is in favor of introducing a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens as soon as possible. "We wish for practical cooperation between the EU and its Eastern partners to deepen, which requires real steps. Eastern Partnership is one of the priorities of the Estonian EU presidency."

The heads of state discussed the need to continue domestic reforms in Ukraine as well. According to Kaljulaid, Ukraine has made progress in this sphere but definitely needs to carry on the started work. "Estonia will continue to support Ukraine in reforming the state. Ukraine needs our support, understanding, and help. Each country must have the right to decide its own fate," she said.

The Ukrainian president thanked Estonia for its support to his country, including medical rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.

Kaljulaid will give a dinner in honor of the Ukrainian head of state at the Town Hall of Tallinn on Monday night.