Paet Drops PM Ambition Due to Ukraine Crisis
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said he did not contest Andrus Ansip's seat as he wants to focus on Estonian foreign policy.
Paet told Postimees on Saturday that he was asked by the party if he wanted to put his name forward to replace Siim Kallas, who decided not to succeed Ansip at the last minute, but declined due to the crisis in the Ukraine, adding Estonian foreign and defense policy need stability right now and personal contacts he has will help Estonia's cause.
He said he is willing to continue on his ministerial post, but that decision is yet to be made by the potential coalition of the Social Democrats and the Reform Party, who are currently locked in negotiations.