Estonian FM strongly condemns Russia over Ukraine

The Estonian Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Tallinn Vladimir Lipayev on Friday to express strong condemnation of Russia's actions in Ukraine, Report informs citing RIA Novosti that the press service of the Foreign Ministry said.

Vice-Chancellor of the Foreign Ministry Rein Tammsaar said that "the direct bombing of Ukrainian cities and towns and the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children," allegedly carried out by Russian troops, have all the signs of a war crime.

"The bombing of the maternity hospital in Mariupol is the most disgusting example of this. All countries must respect international humanitarian law and not attack civilians. It is regrettable that Russia did not allow the full evacuation of civilians and the creation of safe humanitarian corridors," the press service quoted Tammsaar as saying.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry also called on Russia to "stop the dissemination of false information and slanderous campaigns against Ukraine, the Ukrainian leadership and people, as well as false allegations about the deployment of chemical and biological weapons on the territory of Ukraine."

Vice-Chancellor Tammsaar also told the Russian Ambassador that Estonia unwaveringly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and that Estonia will continue to use all means at its disposal to support Ukraine.