Tallinn. February 17. INTERFAX - Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets and United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called on Russia at Wednesday's meeting to de-escalate through dialogue with the United States, NATO and the OSCE.
Liimets and Blinken discussed the current security situation in Europe, the position of NATO's eastern wing in the field of deterrence and defense, as well as bilateral relations between Estonia and the United States, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.
"The Russian Federation must take immediate steps (...), including the return of all military units and weapons brought to the borders near Ukraine, withdraw military units and weapons from Belarus to their permanent locations, prove commitment to finding a diplomatic solution through dialogue with the United States, NATO and the OSCE. We also call on Belarus to fulfill its obligations to the OSCE and other international obligations and refrain from further escalation of tension," Liimets and Blinken said.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the Washington Treaty and pledged to further strengthen NATO's deterrence and defense positions. The parties also noted that regular strategic-level consultations between the United States and Estonia on security issues in the Baltic region will continue.
"Due to Russia's alarming and ongoing activities that violate international norms, it is extremely important to maintain unity and determination both at the bilateral level and in international organizations," the Estonian Foreign Minister said.
