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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: US security assistance allows Estonia to fast-track the reinforcement of its defence capabilities

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

02.07.2024

Today 2 July, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with the visiting delegation of the US Congress to discuss US contribution to the defence and deterrence posture of the Baltic States and continued military support to Ukraine.

"The political and military leadership of the US in NATO and within the wider Euro-Atlantic security architecture is irreplaceable," Tsahkna said at the meeting with the delegation that was headed by Tom Cole, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and included representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, Chuck Fleischmann, Chuck Edwards and Jake Ellzey.

At the meeting, the foreign minister highlighted US security assistance to the Baltic States, which is an important addition to our own defence spending. "Estonia is serious about defending itself, demonstrated by the fact that we have raised our defence spending to exceed 3.4% of GDP," Tsahkna said. "US security assistance is an important addition, allowing us to implement several capability-building projects more quickly and accelerate the reinforcement of Estonia's military capabilities."

The Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) established in 2020, through which the US Department of Defence supports the independent defence capabilities and interoperability of the Baltic States, and the Foreign Military Financing programme of the Department of State have been crucial for the Baltic States.

Tsahkna assured that every dollar contributed by the USA to Estonia's security is matched with six dollars from Estonia and all security assistance is diverted back to the US economy through defence procurements.

The minister underlined that it was in the interests of the Euro-Atlantic region for Allies to increase their defence spending and set the minimum target of 2.5% of GDP.

Speaking about supporting Ukraine, Minister Tsahkna noted that Estonia aimed to allocate 0.25% of GDP to support Ukraine and if all like-minded countries did the same, Ukraine would be able to win the war. "The worth of the Ukraine aid bill adopted in the US Congress this spring is in the same range, and in addition to weapons, it also gave Ukraine hope, which is vital," the minister said.