The fact that Russia is someone you want to be friends and trade with is clear even for those who were the most fervid advocates of imposing sanctions on Russia. The head of Estonia visited the Kremlin today for the first time in many years. President Kaljulaid is paying a two-day visit to Moscow. It was no easy step for her.
See Denis Davydov's report.
Only one out of the many flags on the hotel's facade is foreign — the Estonian one. It means a very prominent citizen of this country is staying in the hotel. President Kersti Kaljulaid has chosen a room overlooking the Kremlin. To attend the talks, she just needs to cross the road.
Russia and Estonia haven't held full-scale talks since 2008. Although the Kremlin is a stone's throw away, the guest asked for a car. She wanted a ride to Putin. She asked for a meeting, even if it's short. At the office's door, the Estonians lingered a bit and then came in.
The delegation was very small. The president was accompanied by the ambassador, an interpreter, and the head of government. Putin was glad to see the Estonians in the Kremlin.
Vladimir Putin: "We haven't met for ages. The last high-level meeting was 10 years ago. We met for a moment abroad not long ago. When neighbors don't have contacts between officials and official bodies, it's abnormal".
Kersti Kaljulaid: "Thank you for the opportunity to meet you here today. Neighbors should talk, even when we have certain disagreements. Estonia is a candidate for temporary membership on the UN Security Council. We will be interested to discuss global geopolitical issues".
The country with a population of 1.3 million people is seeking the status as a temporary member of the UN Security Council at least. Kersti Kaljulaid asks members of the organization to support Estonia, and really she needs Moscow's vote.
Kersti Kaljulaid: "We'll discuss more complex issues when the journalists here leave the room".
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made notes during the course of the guest’s speech. Apparently, he was preparing for the off-camera talks. Tallinn advocates for the strictest anti-Russian sanctions. However, the advocates hurt themselves more than they gain. The transit of Russian goods decreased by four times. The Russian market is closed to many Estonian goods. Trade revenue doesn't exceed $3 billion.
Vladimir Putin: "In recent years, our trade revenue has decreased by over 50%. It adjusted last year though — it increased by 17%".
She understands everything — she was born and grew up in the Estonian SSR, so she knows Russian. Currently, she doesn't have enough practice. Kersti Kaljulaid called the teaching of Russian in Estonian schools a threat to the national culture, even though almost every third person in Estonia is Russian. They're the largest ethnic minority in the country. The authorities do their best to stamp the Russian language out.
- Frankly speaking, I don't know.
- Where did you learn Russian?
- In an Estonian school.
The Russian Foreign Ministry's translator anxiously waited for the presidents. She knows Estonian.
"We don't have a lot of high-level contacts where we need Estonian".
Kaljulaid was criticized for the trip by the politicians prejudiced against Moscow. Although polls show that the majority of Estonians is for arranging bilateral relations. The formal reason for this visit by the president is the opening of the embassy after a major renovation.
Kersti Kaljulaid: "The Estonian Embassy in Moscow is one of the closest to the Kremlin geographically. As you know, we can't say the same about our bilateral relations".
The first female president in Estonian history tries to match her wardrobe with the colors of national flags. She wore a red and white dress in Latvia, a green dress and red shoes in Portugal, and a blue dress in Moscow. In heraldry, the color means honesty and sincerity.
Vladimir Putin: "We objectively have common interests related to the Baltic Sea region, security issues, environmental issues, issues related to transportation, transit. We have much to discuss. We're glad to see you in Moscow".
During the working visit, the President of Estonia will stray from protocol and will not lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. She's going to visit the monument to victims of political suppression. Kaljulaid will fly home tomorrow. She has four children and a house-husband there.
Denis Davydov, Oleg Makarov, Darya Inozemtseva, Irina Vinogradova, Vesti.
