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Tsahkna to EU foreign ministers: negotiations must start with firm conditions for the aggressor, not the victim

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

26.11.2025 | 16:39

Today 26 November, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna took part via video link in an extraordinary meeting of the European Union's foreign ministers, where the agenda focused on Russia's aggression, and on achieving a lasting and just peace in Ukraine. At the meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also gave an overview of developments over the past week.

Tsahkna told the meeting that when launching peace negotiations, firm conditions must be set for the aggressor, not the victim. "The two most important of these are accountability for the crimes committed and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory."

"If the aggressor gets what it wants, its appetite will only grow," Tsahkna said. "We must not reward aggression. Estonia will never accept borders changed by force. Russia's aggression and the subsequent peace will shape European security for decades to come and will have an existential impact on all Europeans. We have no room for error. That is why it is crucial that the European Union does everything in its power to support Ukraine and to put pressure on Russia."

Tsahkna stressed that nothing can be agreed about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the same applies to Europe.

"I expect the European Commission to put forward without delay concrete proposals on the basis of which heads of state and government can decide on the use of Russia's frozen assets for the benefit of Ukraine. At stake are Europe's credibility and Ukraine's resilience against an aggressor whose daily military attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure continue relentlessly," Tsahkna emphasised.

He added that Ukraine's security is Europe's security, and therefore as early as this spring, Estonia decided to contribute to the coalition of the willing led by the United Kingdom and France, which provides Ukraine with security guarantees, giving Ukraine effective deterrence and defence measures from its allies.