AFU destroyed troops that threatened Estonia, - head of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tsahkna
Estonia spends about 1% of its GDP on aid to Ukraine and is ready to do even more, as the AFU have probably destroyed a 120,000-strong group of Russian troops that was located near the Estonian border before the full-scale war with Ukraine.
This was stated by Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhkna at a forum under the auspices of the Atlantic Council, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.
"When I was the Minister of Defence in 2016-2017, we constantly saw 120,000 troops on the Russian side of the border. They were ready to act within 24 hours, the only question was whether Putin would give such an order or not," the Foreign Minister said.
According to the head of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, up to 90% of Estonians share the opinion that Ukraine needs to be supported in the war against Russia.
"This is an understanding that Ukrainians are actually fighting for us and in our place. ... And this is just a small example of why we understand exactly why: instead of having aggression or a military conflict between Russia and NATO members in our region, the most effective and even, let me say harshly, the cheapest way to get rid of Russia's aggressiveness is through our support for Ukraine. Because that's what Ukraine is fighting," Tsakhkna said.
The minister stressed that for Estonia, Russia's war against Ukraine poses an existential threat and will be a defining moment for the future of transatlantic security. In addition, he said that any peace at the expense of Ukraine's territorial integrity would provide new opportunities for the expansion of Russian aggression in a few years.
According to the official, Estonia focuses its policy on this war on three key areas: supporting Ukraine, raising the price of war for the aggressor country, and fighting impunity.
In addition, he said that Ukraine's membership in NATO and the EU would send a signal of investment security and allow not only taxpayers' money to be invested in the country's recovery.
"Our first task is to help Ukraine win this war, achieve sustainable peace and recovery. It is also in our interest to expand the zone of security and stability in Europe. Estonia is convinced: Ukraine should join both the European Union and NATO. Ukraine's future membership in these organizations sends a clear signal to our private sector that long-term investments in Ukraine will be protected. This will turn Ukraine's recovery into a public-private partnership and allow us to move away from the practice of having our taxpayers foot the bill alone," said Tsakhkna.
The Foreign Minister reminded that Estonia has a difficult history of neighborhood with Russia and has not seen anything good from its eastern neighbor for at least three centuries. According to him, this is why Estonia warned during the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014 that Russian aggression would happen again.
"Putin is convinced that he can destroy European unity. And we must do everything to prevent this from happening. Our own history has taught us that the rules and regulations we create today will determine our future. We want to create an international system that works in the interests of all and makes peace and prosperity possible. Otherwise, we may return to a reality where power determines the law," concluded Tsakhkna.
