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Foreign Minister Tsahkna meeting with NATO secretary general: increased defence spending is necessary for NATO to remain the strongest alliance

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

23.10.2024

Today 23 October, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with visiting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, with discussions covering the reinforcement of the Alliance's deterrence and defence posture, and helping Ukraine achieve victory.

Tsahkna said he was glad that Rutte made a visit to Estonia so shortly after he came into office because it showed the secretary general's wish to have a better understanding of the challenges related to reinforcing NATO's Eastern Flank.

The foreign minister said that discussions focused on supporting Ukraine both militarily and on its path to membership in the Alliance. "The actions of NATO Allies must have the clear target of helping Ukraine achieve victory and restore its territorial integrity because it has a decisive impact on the future of the entire Euro-Atlantic region," Tsahkna said. "By supporting Ukraine, we are reinforcing our own security."

Tsahkna also said it was clear that NATO was the only functioning security guarantee, which is why it is only right that Ukraine joins the Alliance. "The threat of aggression remains in Europe until all grey areas are gone," the foreign minister emphasised.

The meeting also covered the increased defence spending of Allies. "For NATO to be able to successfully meet all current and future challenges and ensure peace, it is crucial to reinforce the deterrence and defence posture of Allies and close existing capability gaps as quickly as possible," Tsahkna said. "At the summit in The Hague next year, we need to agree on a new level of defence spending, which should be at least 2.5% of GDP."

The foreign minister said Estonia's defence spending currently surpassed 3% of GDP and we are committed to maintaining that level.

Tsahkna also noted that Russia was the gravest security threat for NATO and therefore it was important to shape a long-term NATO policy on Russia. At the same time, Estonia considered it important to boost NATO's partnership with the European Union, and Asian and Pacific partners.

"Euro-Atlantic security is closely linked to security in the Indo-Pacific. Cooperation between countries that share common values ensures that we can successfully meet shared threats and challenges," Tsahkna said.

Today Foreign Minister Tsahkna is also meeting with Gerald E. Connolly, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, who is visiting Estonia.