Estonian president awaiting explanations from PM

TALLINN - Commenting on the scandal over the Russia-related business of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' husband, Estonian President Alar Karis said on Thursday morning that he is not yet in a position to make an assessment of the matter, but the premier should explain things more than she has done to date, Postimees reported. 

Responding to questions from journalists, the president said that it is sad to talk about such a topic on a day when the Independence Day of Ukraine is being celebrated. He added that society expects explanations from the prime minister and once they are given, he needs to think and consult with advisers about what happens next. 

Karis also said that he cannot judge the seriousness of the accusations made against the prime minister, but he would expect the prime minister to speak more about the subject than she has done so far.

When a journalist asked Karis what the president thinks of the opinions expressed in the media that the scandal has damaged Estonia's international credibility, Karis said such elements do exist in what has happened. 

Karis added that we are seeing more and more cases where the sanctions do not work, including in Estonia. These cases must be made public, because, if we have agreed on sanctions, we must make them work, otherwise we are making fools of ourselves, he said.

Public broadcaster ERR reported on Wednesday that Stark Logistics, a transport company co-owned by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' husband Arvo Hallik, has continued to work with Russia during the war in Ukraine.