Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stressed that Russia has been preparing for a long-term confrontation and it is time that we also prepare for it. “Together with Poland, we understand that the changed security situation requires us all to do more to strengthen our individual and collective security. Estonia and Poland have significantly increased defence spending and are rapidly developing our defence capabilities.” said Kallas. “It is also crucial that what was agreed at last year’s NATO Summit in Madrid is swiftly put into practice,” Kallas said. “The position of Estonia is that the new defence plans of NATO must be confirmed by the Vilnius Summit and they must be backed up by the necessary forces and capabilities,” Kallas added.
The Prime Minister noted that it is important to send a clear message of support to Ukraine in Vilnius. “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has shown that Ukraine cannot be neutral and that grey areas in Europe are a source of conflict and instability. Ukraine has a place in NATO after the end of the war.”
Prime Minister Kallas also shared with Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki the key observations of her recent visit to Ukraine and highlighted the crucial role of Poland has in providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine. “Poland has done a lot to help Ukraine and we all need to continue these efforts together,” said Kallas.
The most critical concern for Ukraine right now is that the military aid arrives there quickly. “The joint decision of the European Union to send one million artillery shells to Ukraine, initiated by Estonia, must now be put into practice. Last week, the Estonian government decided on the latest aid package consisting of 155 mm shells. Estonia will also donate night vision equipment and ammunition for small arms to the Ukrainian armed forces,” said Kallas. “We are working together with Poland to ensure that military aid will reach Ukraine quickly.”
The prime minister stressed that we must continue to strengthen sanctions against Russia, find ways to use frozen Russian assets, and make efforts to hold Russia accountable for its crimes. “We must also continue to isolate the aggressor. Athletes from Russia and Belarus should have no place at the Olympics. I welcome Poland’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating at this year’s European Games in Krakow,” said Kallas.
Speaking about bilateral relations, Prime Minister Kallas highlighted the close defence cooperation between Estonia and Poland. “Poland is an active contributor to the Baltic Air Policing mission of NATO. We jointly procure Polish short-range air defence systems. The Estonian Defence Forces helped Poland fight back the Belarusian hybrid attack on the external border of the European Union. Polish soldiers participate in exercises in Estonia and we welcome them to the next annual Spring Storm exercise.”
The prime minister noted that Poland is also one of the most important and largest foreign trade partners for Estonia in Central Europe. “It is good to see that Estonian companies, especially start-ups, are becoming more interested in the Polish market.”
Press statement by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas: https://valitsus.ee/en/news/remarks-prime-minister-kaja-kallas-press-conference-prime-minister-poland-mateusz-morawiecki
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stenbockimaja/albums/72177720307782063/with/52844941009/
