May Reassures Estonia Of UK's Commitment To European Defence

Theresa May highlighted the UK's commitment to European defence as she welcomed Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas to Downing Street.

The Baltic state currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and Mrs May said that while Brexit meant leaving the EU, it did not mean leaving Europe.

She highlighted the 800 British troops currently based in Estonia as part of Nato's effort to reassure Eastern European members who are concerned about the possibility of Russian interference in their states.

5 RIFLES have contributed fifty Warrior armoured fighting vehicle and around 800 British troops from the regiment have already deployed to the Baltic country for a six-month tour.

They’ll be part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence, which will have 4,000 troops stationed across the region, including French and Danish soldiers.

5 RIFLES will be based in the small town of Tapa which is just 80 miles from the Russian border.

When three years ago Russia annexed Crimea and put its troops in Eastern Ukraine, NATO rapidly decided to send troops and weaponry.

Mrs May told Mr Ratas she looked forward to working with him on his agenda for the country's first EU presidency.

She said the UK-Estonia relationship had become "deeper and stronger, particularly on the defence area".

The 800 British troops were "playing their role and showing our commitment to the defence of Europe".

"Although we are leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe and we want to continue to have a good bilateral relationship but also a good relationship with the remaining member states of the EU in future."

At the start of their talks in Number 10, Mr Ratas said he appreciated the UK's military presence in the country.

"It is very important for us and also for the whole Baltic region," he said.

Mr Ratas added that "after Brexit we both stay in Europe" and promised "good co-operation" from Estonia.