Time for Europe really to step up on Ukraine - Nordic, Baltic foreign ministers

TALLINN - Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, together with his Nordic and Baltic colleagues, calls on European countries to increase support for Ukraine in an opinion piece published in the Financial Times on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale aggression.

"Together, the Nordic-Baltic countries are the world’s second largest military donor to Ukraine after the United States. We are proud to stand fully and firmly behind our Ukrainian friends in defending freedom and security in Europe. But how can it be that eight small countries in northern Europe are leading in that support?" the foreign ministers write.

"In this existential moment, we are ready and willing to do more. But as the future of European security hangs in the balance, now is the time for the whole of Europe to step up," they add.

The foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland note that it is necessary to do everything we can to help Ukraine achieve peace through a position of strength. Therefore, according to the ministers, it is key to provide more military assistance to Ukraine and do so faster than before.

"We owe it to Ukraine that there is no fourth anniversary of the full-scale war. This requires all of Europe to step up," the ministers write.

According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, the Estonian government therefore decided last week to increase the military aid planned for this year to Ukraine by 25 percent and to purchase and send 10,000 artillery shells to Ukraine as soon as possible, to which the defense forces will add 750,000 food packs from its reserves. In addition, Estonia will provide the Ukrainians with over 100 million euros' worth of Estonian defense industry products as soon as possible.

At the same time, the minister said it is necessary to continue to put pressure on Russia. Tsahkna will participate in the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, where the 16th package of sanctions is expected to be adopted.

"This is an important step to limit Russia's ability to keep its war machine running. At the same time, work must begin immediately on the next package of sanctions," Tsahkna said before the start of the ministerial meeting.

The foreign minister said that today, on Estonia's Day of Independence, it is important to remember that all our activities to support Ukraine also help ensure Estonia's security and survival.

"At the same time, Estonia's Day of Independence reminds us that victory over an overwhelming opponent is possible if the people have enough determination and allies," Tsahkna added.