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Putin’s talks with Estonian president were ‘rather useful’, says aide

Yuri Ushakov said that "differences remain ...however, a dialogue is better than the absence of contacts"

MOSCOW, April 23. /TASS/. Recent talks of the Russian and Estonian presidents were "rather useful", Russian president’s Aide Yuri Ushakov said on Tuesday, noting differences persisting in relations of the two countries.

"Of course differences remain as well as many problems, including in international relations, and much in the behavior of the Estonian side is inadmissible for us," Ushakov said. "However, a dialogue is better than the absence of contacts and the high and summit levels," he stressed.

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid agreed with that, as a result of which a dialogue of the presidents was sincere, businesslike and constructive, Ushakov said.

President Vladimir Putin and his Estonian counterpart discussed the situation in the Baltic region and in northern Europe. "They touched upon practical issues," the aide said. In particular, Estonia asked Russia to support its bid for UN Security Council seat in 2020-2021, he specified.

"This issue was discussed, but of course like the other permanent members of the UN Security Council we are not unveiling the motives of our vote," he added.

The talks also focused on the border treaties that were signed in 2014 but have not been ratified by any of the countries as of yet. "Of course, the situation of the Russian-speaking population was also mentioned. This is a permanent issue, it concerns us and it is very important," Ushakov said.

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid visited Moscow on April 18 to take part in the official opening of the Baltic state’s renovated embassy building. Later in the day, she was received by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said that the absence of meaningful contacts between Russian and Estonian officials for a long period of time was not normal. Kaljulaid invited Putin to visit Estonia next year.