Russia is currently in a weaker position than it has been in recent years, but this is not a reason to reduce support for Ukraine—instead, it must be increased.
This was stated by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal during a joint press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the leaders of Latvia and Lithuania.
“Russia today is weaker than it has been for many years. And this is not accidental. It is the result of our actions. Our strategy is working. So let us continue to put pressure on Russia, not on Ukraine,” Michal emphasized.
At the same time, he warned that recent massive Russian strikes on civilians show that the Kremlin’s objectives have not changed.
“Recent large-scale Russian attacks on civilians show that its goals have not changed. It still wants to seize all of Ukraine and divide Europe. Our response must not change either. That is why Ukraine needs more military support, not less,” the Estonian prime minister said.
According to him, the EU has already mobilized new financial resources, but allies must act more actively on a bilateral level as well.
“The European Union has mobilized new funding. Allies must also do more bilaterally. Estonia has committed to providing at least 0.25% of its GDP in military aid every year. And we can do even more. Last year this figure already reached 0.35% of our GDP,” Michal said.
The Estonian prime minister also stressed the need to open all negotiation clusters on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
“A just and lasting peace also requires a clear path to the European Union. Ukraine has long been ready. Now the EU must not avoid doing its part and must open all negotiation clusters without delay. This is not a favor to Ukraine; it is in the EU’s own strategic and economic interest. This is how we protect peace in Europe,” Michal emphasized.
