At the meeting following the presentation of credentials, they discussed strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, European Allies assuming greater responsibility for their own security, and continued close cooperation among Allies in the current tense security environment.
“In recent years, NATO Allies have taken several important decisions to strengthen collective defence. This is particularly evident in the agreement reached at the NATO Summit in The Hague to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP and the decision taken at the NATO Summit in Ankara to update NATO’s air and missile defence plan,” Prikk said.
According to Prikk, strengthening collective defence must remain centred on deterrence by denial and the ability to defend the Alliance’s territory from the very first moment, so that Russia never has any doubt about NATO’s ability and readiness to defend every inch of Allied territory.
“European Allies understand the need to assume greater responsibility for European security, invest more in defence and, at the same time, ensure that these investments translate into real military capabilities,” Prikk said.
“At a time of heightened security tensions, close consultations among Allies and maintaining unity are particularly important. This was also the purpose of last week’s meeting of the North Atlantic Council with US Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby,” Prikk said.
At the meeting, Prikk also stressed the importance of continuing strong, long-term political and military support for Ukraine. Ending Russia’s aggression and achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine will also directly strengthen the security of NATO and its Allies.
Kristjan Prikk was born in Tallinn on 15 February 1977. He holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Tartu. He has held various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence and served as Director for National Security and Defence Coordination at the Government Office. From 2018 to 2021, Prikk served as Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, and from 2021 to 2026 as Estonia’s Ambassador to the United States and Mexico.
