President Ilves: it is impossible to restore normal relations between the European Union and Russia in the near future
© MSC/Kuhlmann 
Wednesday, 17 June 2015 11:33
"As long as Russia continues its aggression towards Ukraine, flying aircraft without transponders in international air space and EU citizens are kidnapped from within EU territory, it will remain impossible to restore normal relations between the European Union and Russia," explained President Toomas Hendrik Ilves who facilitated a discussion on "Relations between Russia, the EU and the USA" at the meeting of the Munich Security Conference Core Group in Vienna.
"Restraint represents the only realistic policy towards Russia; this does not mean isolation for Russia for it violating international rules – rather the powerful blocking of expansionist efforts. Reforms in Ukraine represent the key to the solution of the current conflict, and western countries can contribute to achieving this solution by offering even greater support to the government of Ukraine," added the Estonian Head of State.
The Munich Security Conference has held core group meetings since 2009 in different capitals of the world, with the purpose of focusing on issues that impact on the international security situation. About 60 influential participants have received an invitation to the meeting.
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