Estonian prime minister cancels his visit to Russia after Skripal poisoning
Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas has decided not to visit Russia this spring on account of the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, announced Estonian government spokesperson Urmas Seaver, as cited by the Estonian news outlet Postimees.
According to Seaver, the organizers of Estonia’s 100 year anniversary celebrations suggested that the prime minister take part in the Estonian culture days in Krasnoyarsk between May 16-21. However, in light of the developments surrounding Skripal, the prime minister had to cancel his visit to Russia.
“The prime minister thought about participating because he considers the celebration important for Estonia’s origins in foreign countries too. This year the prime minister already took part in events on the occasion of Estonia’s 100 years in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Switzerland and Latvia,” Seaver noted. “In light of recent international developments, however, the prime minister does not consider it possible to visit Krasnoyarsk,” he added.
Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid said earlier that Estonia has a “difficult neighbor”. “Over the last few decades, Russia has been a disappointment to us,” she commented. The Estonian Foreign Intelligence Department also issued a warning that the information attacks on NATO forces in the Baltic states were continuing in 2018.