Estonia ? Estonian government ministers laid flowers Tuesday at a disputed Soviet statue, the first time the Baltic state has paid tribute to the Red Army while commemorating the Allied victory in World War II.

The government was hoping the gesture would begin a process of reconciliation between ethnic Estonians and Russian-speakers, 10 days after Estonia was hit by riots over the decision to move the Bronze Soldier statue from downtown Tallinn to a cemetery outside the city center.

Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo participated in the brief ceremony at the cemetery, which was observed by a small group of onlookers.

The Swedish ambassador to Estonia, Dag Hartelius, laid a wreath on behalf of the Western diplomatic corps. Russian Ambassador Nikolai Uspensky refused to take part in the ceremony.