Kaljulaid met with Jüri Ratas (Center), Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) and Minister of Defense Jüri Luik on Thursday morning.  

The president wrote on social media that it was Estonia's goal for the people of Belarus to be free to decide their future. 

"Today, it is especially relevant for us here in Estonia to remember this," she said referencing that today is the Restoration of Independence Day in Estonia.

Kaljulaid reiterated that the presidential elections held in the country on August 9 were neither free nor fair. She also mentioned the united stance the Baltic states have taken on the issue and praised the decisions taken by the European Union. 

Convened w/ PM @ratasjuri, DefMin Jüri Luik, FM @UrmasReinsalu to discuss developments in #Belarus. Today marks the day ???????? regained its independence, so we know the meaning of striving for the right to decide. The intl community has been clear that the ???????? elections were not free. pic.twitter.com/54caPTjaCQ

— Kersti Kaljulaid (@KerstiKaljulaid) August 20, 2020

In addition to the events in Belarus, the meeting held at the Ministry of Defense also discussed the coup in Mali this week. Estonia currently has 77 members of the defense forces stationed in the country who are taking part in several UN missions.

Baltic states ministers trying to meet with Belarusian officials

The three Baltic states are also taking steps to meet with Belarusian government officials in Minsk to discuss the situation in the neighbouring country, Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Thursday. 

Skvernelis told reporters in Vilnius that he had discussed the issue with his Baltic counterparts on August 14, LRT reported.

Earlier on Thursday, Skvernelis met with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the opposition challenger in Belarus' disputed presidential election, in his office.

Reinsalu call's for release of detainees

Reinsalu spoke to the foreign minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei on Thursday and called for the detainees to be released and violence towards protesters to stop.

He said dialogue must lead towards new elections.  

Spoke with Vladimir Makei, FM of #Belarus today. Called upon immediate release of detainees and stop of violence. Political dialogue must lead to new elections.

— Urmas Reinsalu (@UrmasReinsalu) August 20, 2020

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