In early August, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said that the ministry was ready for military consultations with Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Sweden and Finland to address military activities in the border areas to avoid incidents on sea and air.
"Estonia won't discuss cooperation in the sphere of defense with Russia, because Estonia discusses such issues together with its allies," Roivas said at a government press conference in Tallinn, adding that there can be no meaningful dialogue with Russia as long as it continues "to aggressively act in Ukraine."
Since 2014, relations between Russia and the European Union deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions since Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 and over Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability.
