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Foreign Minister Tsahkna at NATO: The threat from Russia to the Alliance will persist even after the end of aggression against Ukraine

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

03.12.2025 | 17:26

At the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels today, 3 December, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the threat posed by Russia to the Alliance will not disappear even if the aggression against Ukraine ends. Therefore, the most important task for Allies in the coming years will remain the strengthening of its deterrence and defence posture. At the same time, the focus must stay on continued support for Ukraine, as achieving a just and lasting peace is in the security interests of all NATO Allies.

According to Minister Tsahkna, NATO foreign ministers in today's discussions concentrated on the most crucial issues from the Allies' security perspective - namely, the most serious and long term threat posed by Russia to NATO, and support for Ukraine.

"Acts of sabotage, cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns by Russia have become increasingly frequent in recent years, and almost no NATO Ally has been spared. At the same time, Russia continues to build up its military capabilities, including on our borders," Tsahkna said.

He added that, given the serious and long term threat posed by Russia, it is vital for NATO Allies to move swiftly towards meeting the defence spending commitments agreed at the summit in The Hague, noting that Estonia will invest 5% of GDP in defence already next year.

Within the framework of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting, the NATO Ukraine Council also convened with the participation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, with discussions centring on achieving a just and lasting peace.

"Estonia supports efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine. It is essential that the peace ending the war secures Ukraine's independence and sovereignty, as well as long term security for NATO Allies," Tsahkna underlined. "Until the aggressor has demonstrated readiness for peace, strong pressure on Russia must continue, alongside comprehensive support for Ukraine."

Minister Tsahkna stressed that Europe needs to take a swift decision on the use of Russia's frozen assets to increase pressure on Russia and to demonstrate Europe's resolve, welcoming the fact that the European Commission presented such a proposal today. Meanwhile, military assistance to Ukraine continues, with several countries announcing new contributions to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.

On the margins of the foreign ministers' meeting, the Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8) foreign ministers met with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss dealing with the hybrid threats emanating from Russia and deterring Russia's shadow fleet. In addition, Minister Tsahkna met with France's Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad.