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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: Decisions of NATO's summit are a great contribution to reinforcing the security of Allies

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

11.07.2024

Yesterday 10 July, the NATO summit declaration was adopted in Washington, and its decisions constitute crucial steps on helping Ukraine to victory, Ukraine's NATO membership and reinforcing the Alliance's defence and deterrence posture, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.

"Going to Washington, Estonia had three clear goals and the joint statement of the summit marks all three," the foreign minister said.

Most importantly, a robust support package for Ukraine was adopted, with Allies reaffirming continued long-term military assistance and NATO's leadership in coordinating this assistance. It was agreed in Washington that the military assistance of Allies to Ukraine will be at least €40 billion a year, NATO would assume a leading role in training Ukrainian soldiers, and the interoperability of Ukraine and the Alliance would be improved. It was also affirmed that Ukraine was on an irreversible path towards NATO membership.

"All these decisions will contribute to Ukraine's victory in the war and their advance on the path to NATO accession," Tsahkna said. "We are sending a clear message to Moscow that our support to Ukraine remains unwavering, that the Alliance's open door policy will continue and Ukraine has the right to choose its security arrangements."

Tsahkna said that by fighting Russia's aggression, Ukraine was directly contributing to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region and therefore, every decision that the Allies take on supporting Ukraine reinforced their own security.

It was also reaffirmed at the summit that since Russia posed a direct and long-term threat to the Alliance, NATO would remain focused on blocking and fighting Russia's aggressive actions.

The decisions of the summit also concern the prioritisation of the rapid development of NATO capabilities and the reinforcement of transatlantic defence industry cooperation to ensure the applicability of NATO's defence plans.

"All the decisions of the summit ensure the reinforcement of the security of Estonia and the entire Alliance," Foreign Minister Tsahkna said. "NATO has been able to ensure the security of Allies for 75 years and we can be sure the Alliance can meet any security challenge in the future."

Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the summit, Undersecretary Kyllike Sillaste-Elling said that in Washington, Estonia repeatedly raised the need for increased defence spending, and we would continue to work towards setting the new target of the Alliance at a minimum of 2.5 percent of GDP.

"We do not have the luxury of waiting," Sillaste-Elling said. "NATO must reinforce its defence posture and this requires an increase in defence spending."

The Washington summit will continue tomorrow, when NATO will hold a meeting with the EU and with the NATO's Indo-Pacific partners. There will also be a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.