The removal of the Soviet-era monument sparked violent protests from the ex-Soviet republic's ethnic Russian minority. One person was killed and several dozen injured in clashes with police on April 27. Moscow issued strong protests with some parliamentarians calling for cutting diplomatic ties with Tallinn.
Andrus Ansip wrote in Wednesday's edition of the Postimees newspaper: "Despite material and moral loss suffered by Estonian society, I am becoming ever more confident that the monument removal was the only opportunity to preserve the dignity of the Republic of Estonia, and Estonian statehood itself."
He described the removal as a "timely decision," which prevented Estonia from "slipping under Russia's control" and prevented large-scale incitement on the part of radical Estonian and Russian activists during the 62nd VE Day celebrations on May 8-9.
Ansip, who was one of the initiators of the plan to remove the Bronze Soldier, said the monument had transformed central Tallinn into a gathering place for those who encouraged hostility and opposition to Estonian statehood.
"Five years ago only a small portion of the Russian community took an interest in the Bronze Soldier," Ansip said. "In the past two years the monument has reportedly become an essential part of ethnic Russian identity. Although I am sure this is an exaggeration, I must stress that I underestimated how much the Bronze Soldier meant to Russians."
He said he was confident that more Russians understood "that the [Estonian] government did not mean to hurt the feelings of Estonia's Russian community."
