Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Technology, Ukraine

Keit Pentus-Rosimannus at the meeting with Oleksandr Turchyno. Kyiv, 14.01.2015. Photo: flickr.com

According to Foreign Minister Pentus-Rosimannus, Russia, which annexed a part of Ukraine, has not made a single positive step on its part to show willingness to resolve the conflict and to stop aggression in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. “Regrettably, Russia is still not complying with the Minsk agreements and continues to support armed groups in eastern Ukraine and to threaten Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty by sending so-called humanitarian convoys. Therefore, there is no point in discussing possibilities to change or ease sanctions against Russia,” the Foreign Minister said, expressing concern over the increase of armed clashes in the last few days in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.

“Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and international pressure on Russia must continue, the international community must show unity and strategic coherence,” Foreign Minister Pentus-Rosimannus stated.

Foreign Minister Pentus-Rosimannus expressed concern about human rights and the humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. “One of the main problems standing in the way of protecting civilians and the work of humanitarian organizations is that international aid does not often reach those you need it in eastern Ukraine. It is a violation of the principles of providing humanitarian assistance,” the Foreign Minister stressed, emphasizing the need to increase Ukraine's assistance to internally displaced people and to strengthen its coordination.

In bilateral defence cooperation, Estonia is focusing on contributing to the Ukrainian trust fund coordinated by NATO. Estonia is supporting Ukraine's cyber defence and cyber security training with 100 000 euros through the NATO Cyber Security Trust Fund for Ukraine.

Meeting with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Foreign Affairs Committee Hanna Hopko, the topics of discussion included security issues, Ukraine’s integration with the European Union and bilateral relations between Estonia and Ukraine.

Pentus-Rosimannus confirmed Estonia's continued support for Ukraine's euro integration and offered encouragement to quickly begin the reform process.

Along with Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, a meeting was also held with the Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. Foreign Minister Pentus-Rosimannus also met with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin in Kyiv.