• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Brussels: We must force Russia to change course

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16.12.2024

Today 16 December, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, where the agenda covered Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in Georgia, Middle East and Belarus.

Today's meeting in Brussels was the first Foreign Affairs Council meeting chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas. Discussing Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine, Tsahkna said that to reinforce Ukraine's position, a considerable increase in military assistance to Ukraine and pressure on Russia was needed. "Holidays are here soon, and we all would like to spend them in peace with our families and loved ones. However, Ukrainians will spend them in the trenches, with relentless attacks and power cuts," he said. "We must force Russia to change course and it is in our power."

Tsahkna welcomed the adoption of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia by the EU today; however, he emphasised that this was not enough. "We can do a lot more to help Ukraine. The EU has the necessary resources and it is high time we delivered them to Ukraine," he said, referring to the decisions that need to be taken on the European Peace Facility and the frozen sovereign assets of Russia.

Today was the first time sanctions were imposed against 19 individuals and entities who carry out or contribute to Russia's hybrid activities against the European Union, a member state or a third country. This list mainly includes individuals and entities connected to Russia's intelligence agencies, hybrid operations and influence activities.

28 individuals and entities linked to Alexander Lukashenko's regime and human rights violations were added to the sanctions list imposed against Belarus.

Speaking about the situation in Georgia, Tsahkna said that unfortunately the authorities of Georgia have turned their back on Europe and democracy. "However, this is not the will of the people, and we support the people of Georgia. The violence used by Georgian authorities against protesters, journalists and opposition leaders is unjustified, unacceptable, criminal and runs counter to human rights."

"Estonia supports restrictive measures of the EU against those who violate human rights in Georgia, and I expect that we make quick progress with them together because there was great support for these measures at the meeting," Tsahkna said.

The Council also discussed the situation in the Middle East and Syria. Tsahkna said that the situation was dynamic and only in the early stages of change and for now, the only thing that was clear was that the Assad era was over. "We are following the situation; however, it is not currently known how the new leaders of Syria will rebuild Syria and what their relations with their neighbours will look like," he said. "We consider it important for the new leadership to respect human rights and the EU's potential contribution in Syria should also depend on the withdrawal of Russian military bases."