Ambassador not President sent by Estonia to Kremlin WW2 celebrations

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Edited by Tiina Kaukvere
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Photo: Peeter Langovits

With President Toomas Hendrik Ilves declaring no participation at May 9th celebrations in Moscow, Russia, Estonia will still be represented in the person of Ambassador Jüri Luik.

«Russian Federation has invited heads of EU states to participate at May 9th celebrations. Majority of EU member states will only be represented on Ambassador level, including Estonia. In light of annexation of Crimea and the unacceptable destabilisation of Ukraine by Russia participation at head of state level is unthinkable. Also, EU shares the understanding that it is not becoming for military attachés to participate at the military parade,» confirmed foreign ministry press representative Mariann Sudakov.

In May, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves will be commemorating the fallen in WW2 at the 70th anniversary to end of battles in Europe in Maarjamäe Memorial, Tallinn.

This year around, the May 9th celebrations in Moscow will be historically grandiose, with 70 years elapsed from victory over Nazism. According to The Moscow Times, the occasion will be marked by new military technology displayed on Red Square and the famed Kremlin tower renovated.

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