During meetings in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu on Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that there are positive signs for a breakthrough in the hostage ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.
"We are serious about our intention to reach a hostage deal and a ceasefire. We have agreed to the proposals of [US] Special Envoy [to the Middle East Steve Witkoff]. There are positive signs for a breakthrough. I do not wish to elaborate further at this stage. However, our goal is to begin proximity talks as soon as possible."
Additionally, Sa'ar said, "Hamas is still holding 50 of our hostages in cruel captivity. The war could end tomorrow if they release them and lay down their weapons."
He also announced that Israel has decided to open its first embassy in Estonia, a decision which his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna praised on X/Twitter, calling it historic and "a major step forward in [Israeli, Estonian] ties, boosting cooperation in security, innovation & tech."
Tsahkna said that he and Sa'ar discussed the Ukraine-Russian war, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Iran. "As frontline democracies, Estonia & Israel must stand united. All Hamas-held hostages must be released. My thoughts are with their families."
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Estonia is a full member of the European Union, NATO, and other international organizations, and it is one of the leading countries in the world in the field of high-tech.
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Sa'ar also met with Latvian leadership and discussed efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, the fight against terrorism, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and work towards a ceasefire, support for Ukraine, and bilateral issues, according to Latvia's President Edgars Rinkevics, who posted about the meeting on X/ X/Twitter.