Estonian PM: Only security guarantee for Ukraine is NATO membership
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said this on Thursday in Brussels before a meeting of EU leaders, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"The only security guarantee that really works and the cheapest security guarantee that really works is NATO membership," Kallas said, answering a question about security guarantees for Ukraine at the summit in Vilnius.
At the same time, she admitted that this cannot happen while the country is at war.
Kallas added that this is not a European issue, but a NATO issue. She is convinced that it is necessary to agree on a "clear pathway" for Ukraine in the Alliance.
The Estonian Prime Minister is convinced that EU countries should also do more to improve their own defense capabilities. She cited data showing that from 1999 to 2021, EU investments in defense increased by 19.7%, while the United States increased them by 65.7%, Russia by 292%, and China by 595% over the same period.
"So clearly we are not doing enough," the Estonian Prime Minister stated, adding that this is especially true when partners are transferring a lot of weapons to Ukraine. She also emphasized the importance of developing the defense industry.
Kallas initiated joint arms procurement and continues to promote this idea. Options for implementing the program are currently being discussed.
"Russia is unstable, unpredictable, and dangerous," Kallas emphasized, but noted that this was the case before the coup attempt, and it remains so now. Belarus, she said, was an aggressor and remains so. Both countries have been and remain dangerous, so it is necessary to focus on helping Ukraine, not on Russia's internal problems, Kallas said.
The Estonian Prime Minister also informed that the issue of responsibility will be discussed at the summit in Brussels: "There is a fight for freedom and also a fight for justice, so therefore it is very important that we move on with the establishment of an international tribunal."
The head of the Estonian government believes it is necessary to use Russian frozen assets to restore Ukraine, which will also be discussed in Brussels this week. "I think it's fundamentally wrong that our taxpayers get to pay for something that we haven't caused. It has to be on Russia. It has to get come from their assets," the politician said. She insists on increasing economic and political pressure on Russia.
Speaking about Ukraine and Moldova's membership in the EU, Kallas said that "there will be no discount for you," they must fulfill the criteria and carry out difficult reforms.
As reported, the EU summit is taking place in Brussels on June 29-30.
Photo: Office of President
