You're reading: Estonian foreign minister calls for stepping up US military presence in Europe

 Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet has called for stepping up the presence of U.S. forces in Europe.

Speaking at a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland in Tallinn on Tuesday, Paet noted that, in the changing security situation, it is important to take joint steps to expand response capacities, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.

The U.S.’ presence significantly strengthens NATO’s response capacities in the Baltic Sea region, he said.

Paet believes Russia has enough power to put an end to the destabilization of the situation in Ukraine.

He insisted that Ukrainian presidential elections scheduled for May 25 should be free, democratic and transparent, which should help the country overcome the crisis.

Ukraine should have the chance to determine their country’s future in a peaceful way, he said.

Paet assured Nuland that Estonia highly values cooperation with the U.S. on developing democracy in Europe and involvement in Eastern Partnership projects designed for Georgia, Moldova, and Belarus.