Mob attacks Estonian embassy in Moscow

MOSCOW, May 3 (UPI) -- A mob supporting the Russian government in its conflict with Estonia attempted to assault the ambassador from the Baltic republic in Moscow.

A second mob assaulted a car carrying a Swedish official as it left the Estonian Embassy, The Times of London reported Thursday.

The European Union called on Russia to work harder to protect foreign diplomats in its capital. Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip also called on Russia to "remain civilized" and appealed to the EU for help repelling the "heavy" attack against the country's sovereignty.

"Passions have been brought to the boil," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "The blame for that rests entirely with the Estonian side."

The conflict between the two nations stems from Estonia's decision to move a memorial dedicated to Soviet soldiers killed in World War II.

The state-owned Russian Railways discontinued oil deliveries to Estonian ports after the statue was moved, claiming the halt was the result of maintenance work and not any sort of sanction.