President Alar Karis told Euronews that the European Union should have direct communication with Russia. He thought that this should have been done even before Trump. Rainer Saks does not find that the president said anything wrong. He says that the president is entitled to express his opinion.
Saks notes that the only problem is that the government and the president speak differently. This creates confusion. He says that otherwise, there is nothing wrong with the president's words. The president believes that Europe should talk to Russia. The government, however, says that this should not be done.
President Karis also told NBC News that Ukraine must decide for itself whether to give up land for the sake of peace. Saks says that this is a difficult topic. He notes that the president is not saying anything very wrong, but perhaps he is going too far. Saks would not advise Ukraine himself on what to do.
Saks says that Estonian foreign policy makers are concerned. They believe that such statements damage Estonia. He notes that ideally, the president and the government should speak the same language. But he also says that the reactions could have been calmer.
Saks explains that the president decides for himself where he goes and what he says. But the principles of foreign policy are made by the government. Usually they agree. Saks says that sometimes there can be a small difference, but it is not a big problem.
Saks believes that other countries know that the Estonian president is mainly ceremonial. But differing opinions can cause confusion. He says that this does not help Estonia's foreign policy.
Saks also talks about Latvia. He says that the Latvian Prime Minister and the Estonian President met at the same event by chance. They did not agree that they would deliver the same message. Saks believes that it was just a coincidence.