Munich, 18 February 2024 – Taking part in a panel on the main stage of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stressed the need for decisive action in the face of the current security situation.
The panel, entitled ‘In It to Win It: The Future of Ukraine and Transatlantic Security’ and moderated by respected CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour, also featured NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US senator Pete Ricketts. It was preceded by an address from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Estonian head of government called on Europe and America to avoid repeating the mistakes made in the 1930s in the lead-up to World War II. “The war, and the period immediately prior to it, showed us that if America cuts itself off from the rest of the world, it too will pay for it much more dearly in the long run,” she cautioned. “It’s said that history rhymes. Let's learn from history and do the right thing this time. As President Zelenskyy said, it’s not enough to do something in support of Ukraine – to ensure that the Ukrainians win the war, we have to do everything within our power to help them. We can face down the evil by standing up to it together.”
Asked whether NATO was at risk, Prime Minister Kallas warned against shifting focus. “If Ukraine stops Russia, the risk it poses can’t spread further,” she replied. “That’s why our focus has to be on how Ukraine will win the war.”
Discussion of how countries can support Ukraine for as long as is needed and to an extent that guarantees its victory continued during a lunch entitled “2024 – It’s In Our Hands”, at which the Estonian head of government spoke alongside Hillary Clinton, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo of Belgium, President Petr Pavel of Czechia and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark. “Perhaps we were a little too optimistic in 2023, but that doesn’t mean we should become too pessimistic in 2024,” she said. “We have to think outside the box, as we’re already doing when it comes to frozen assets, because that’s what Russia is afraid of. We have to boost our defence investments as well, ramp up our defence production and stop Russia from circumventing sanctions.”
While attending the conference, the Estonian head of government also met with a US Senate delegation to discuss transatlantic cooperation and support for Ukraine, and with her Qatari and Iraqi counterparts Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani to talk about the situation in the Middle East, security in general and bilateral cooperation. Further meetings were held with politicians, opinion shapers and defence industry representatives.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Kallas took part in a debate entitled “MSC Conversation on NATO’s Northern Front” with American historian Mary Elisa Sarotte.
Photo: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBejDW
