Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said at a meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland as part of the United Nations General Assembly, that Russia’s actions in abducting Eston Kohver from Estonia to Russia and detaining him in a prison in Moscow is contrary to international law.
“Our goal is to have Eston Kohver be able to return home as soon as possible,” Paet said. “The situation is complex, but Estonia has many allies and friends who understand and support us, and we collectively demand the return of Eston Kohver to Estonia,” Paet noted. He added that since September 12, Russian authorities have not allowed the Estonian consul to meet with Eston Kohver, despite repeated requests.
Speaking about the situation in Ukraine, Estonia's Foreign Minister said that the international community's most important objective is to find ways to influence Russia to stop military operations in Ukraine. “The departure of Russian troops from Ukraine is extremely important, as is allowing Ukraine to have full border control,” the Estonian Foreign Minister said. “The Council of Europe’s resolution of September 17, demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, was extremely necessary,” he said.
Paet stated that a long-term solution to the conflict in Ukraine must be based on Ukraine's sovereignty. “Only a diplomatic solution can bring peace,” he said. “It is very important that Ukraine be able to conduct its parliamentary elections and begin substantive reforms.”
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