“It is important to Estonia that every contact with Russia conveys Europe’s unity and determination to support Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia,” Tsahkna said.
“It is also important to make clear that Europe will not negotiate over the fundamental principles underpinning its security arrangements. These include the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the understanding that borders cannot be changed by force, and every country’s right to decide its own security arrangements,” the Foreign Minister said.
According to Tsahkna, Ukraine wants peace and Estonia supports all efforts that bring it closer. However, there is currently no indication whatsoever that Russia has changed its strategic objectives or is genuinely interested in negotiations.
“To achieve a just and lasting peace, we must demonstrate through concrete action that, as long as Russia continues its unjustified war against Ukraine, it will remain under extremely strong international pressure and Ukraine’s supporters will not abandon it,” Tsahkna said.
The Foreign Minister noted that Russia was currently making little progress on the battlefield and facing economic difficulties, but remained willing to continue its war of aggression because it believed it could achieve its objectives.
“We must remember that Russia’s war of aggression is not driven by a desire to seize certain parts of Ukrainian territory. Its real aim is to subjugate all of Ukraine and undermine the security arrangements that are of vital importance to Europe as a whole and are based on NATO and the European Union,” Tsahkna said.
“Russia will abandon these objectives and engage in serious peace negotiations only if we increase pressure on it, tighten sanctions, prevent the circumvention of sanctions, isolate Russia internationally and provide Ukraine with comprehensive support,” Tsahkna said.
According to the Foreign Minister, Putin believes that Western support for Ukraine may weaken, which is why he remains motivated to continue the war.
“There is no reason for Putin to move towards peace as long as he hopes that pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine might both diminish at the same time. As long as Putin believes that time is on his side, he will continue the war,” Tsahkna said. “Once again, last night we witnessed brutal attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, in which a medical centre, residential buildings, and civilian and energy infrastructure were hit. This proves that Russia will do everything in its power to use aerial terror to undermine the resilience of Ukrainian society and force the country to surrender.”
