Reinsalu welcomed the today’s decision in principle to provide Ukraine with 1 million artillery shells through a joint tender within 12 months. “Ukraine is in urgent need of additional ammunition to defend itself and the security of Europe,” he said, adding that today’s decision was an important step in the defence of the security of Ukraine and all of Europe. Later today, EU foreign and defence ministers will reaffirm the decision in a joint meeting.
Talks also covered holding Russia accountable for the crimes committed in Ukraine. “It is the moral duty of the international community to hold Russia accountable,” Reinsalu said, welcoming the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) last week to issue arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova. He said that in addition to the work of the ICC, it was now necessary to shape a common position of the EU to move forward with establishing a UN-mandated special tribunal and preventing impunity for Russia.
Reinsalu also called for quick progress with the 11th sanctions package against Russia, and emphasised that in addition to new sanctions, it was equally important to prevent Russia from evading the sanctions imposed so far. “On top of additional sanctions we must quickly lower the price cap set on oil because Russia is financing its war in Ukraine with the profit it is making,” Reinsalu said.
“We must also impose joint EU sanctions on individuals involved in the unlawful arrest of journalist and opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza,” Reinsalu said. He added that the EU needed to establish a separate sanctions mechanism for stopping oligarchs who act as Russia’s agents of influence in Moldova.
The ministers also discussed the EU’s Strategic Compass, the situation in Tunisia, and human rights violations in Iran and the country’s support for Russia in its aggression against Ukraine.
Ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council, Reinsalu made a statement at the European Humanitarian Forum, emphasising that Russia’s aggression has caused a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and exacerbated humanitarian aid needs across the globe. “Estonia will continue to make every effort to help people receive the humanitarian aid they need, and stand up for respecting international humanitarian law,” Reinsalu said.
The doorstep interview of the foreign minister is available here: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20230320-foreign-affairs-council-march-2023/139282-arrival-and-doorstep-ee-reinsalu-20230320
Some photos of today’s meeting are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/albums/72177720306871978
Additional information:
Communication Department
[email protected]
