Russian, Estonian presidents meet

KHANTY-MANSIISK, Russia, June 28 (UPI) -- Frosty relations between Russia and Estonia should be thawed during bilateral meetings in Siberia, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday.

Medvedev admitted relations between his nation and the Baltic republic headed by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves were at a low point, and said the first meeting between the presidents of the two countries since 2005 should be used a catalyst to improve the situation, RIA Novosti reported.

"We meet seldom because we have a considerable amount of problems in our bilateral relations," Medvedev said. "I suggest we use this opportunity for discussions of our problems."

The news agency said Medvedev and his counterparts from Finland, Hungary and Estonia were at the opening ceremony of the fifth world congress of Finno-Ugric peoples in West Siberian city of Khanty-Mansiisk.

Russia's and Estonia's relations hit a low point last April when the Baltic republic removed Russian World War II monuments from downtown Tallinn, sparking protests in which more than 1,000 people were arrested.