Minister disagrees with Estonia’s former president on expulsion of Russian diplomats

Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu on Monday rebuffed criticism from former president Kersti Kaljulaid and EKRE leader Martin Helme over Estonia’s decision to expel a number of Russian diplomats and embassy staff, reports public broadcaster ERR.

“Achieving parity in terms of diplomats in Tallinn and Moscow is entirely in Estonia’s foreign and security policy interests. Parity in representation makes it harder to put pressure on Estonia,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu told ERR via a press representative.