Estonian PM expresses hope relations will improve between Estonia, Russia

  • 2019-01-08
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN - Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas at a meeting with the Russian Ambassador Alexander Petrov on Tuesday expressed hope that the relations between the two states will improve, however, he also restated the requisition of Estonia and other Western countries for Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Ratas thanked Petrov for forwarding Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's New Year greetings and noted that he, too, sent a greeting card to his colleague, spokespeople for the government said on social media.

Ratas stressed that the world is waiting for Russia to take steps to end the conflict in Ukraine. He also expressed concern for the fate of Ukrainian seamen and ships detained in the Kerch Strait and said he awaits their release, government spokespeople said.