A Russian policeman keeps watch near the fence of the Estonian embassy covered by posters.

After a week-long protest outside the Estonian Embassy in Moscow, the row between Russia and Estonia sparked by the removal of a World War II Soviet soldier's statue in central Tallinn shows no sign of abating.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked the European Union to carry out "an urgent and objective investigation on all cases on human rights violation during the recent events in Estonia," referring to conflicts with demonstrators, the Itar-Tass reported on Thursday.

"Moscow was seriously concerned about the facts of cruel violence against demonstrators that object to the (Estonian leadership) decisions and over the death of a Russian citizen," Itar-Tass quoted Lavrov as saying during a phone conversation with his Germany counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Germany holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, which has urged Russia to ensure the security of the Estonian diplomatic mission and the safety of its personnel amid the strong protests in Moscow.

A Russian national was killed and 153 people, including 29 policemen, were injured during the two nights of rioting in Tallinn last week after a bronze statue was moved from a square in central Tallinn to a military cemetery. Some 800 people were detained during the clashes.

The relocation of the statue, the "Liberator Soldier", and remains buried near the sculpture of Red Army soldiers who were killed in WWII, also triggered fierce protests in Moscow.

Some Russian parliamentarians have threatened to cut off diplomatic relations with Estonia. Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov vowed to block sale of Estonian products at a May Day rally.

About 40 pro-Kremlin youths stormed the office of a newspaper in Moscow on Wednesday to break up a news conference called there by Estonian Ambassador Marina Kaljurand, whose bodyguard used pepper spray to defend her, the Moscow Times reported.

The Estonian Consulate in Moscow has stopped service and evacuated the families of diplomats, Itar-Tass said.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik issued a statement on Wednesday to call Russia to "try to remain civilized."

Russia said the protest is a "natural reaction" to the recent events in Tallinn, but pledged to ensure the security of the Estonian Embassy in Moscow.

"Law enforcement agencies have already taken corresponding measures that will be additionally reinforced if necessary," Itar-Tass quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying.
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(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2007)