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Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Washington: The Kremlin understands only the language of strength and action

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

07.05.2025

On 5 and 6 May, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna is in Washington DC, where yesterday he met with members of Congress and think tanks, as well as with former Deputy Secretary of State and US Ambassador to Moscow, John Sullivan, with whom he discussed strengthening the strategic cooperation of Estonia and the USA and the security situation in Europe and the world at large.

At meetings with senators Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) and former Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Tsahkna highlighted the close alliance between Estonia and the United States. "The United States is an important ally and strategic partner of Estonia," Tsahkna said, thanking the United States for its significant contribution to ensuring the security of the region.

The foreign minister emphasised that Estonia takes its defence seriously, spending 3.7% of GDP on defence this year and 5.4% of GDP next year. "We are matching every dollar that the US has invested in Estonia's security with 12 dollars in our defence budget," Tsahkna said. "Estonia is committed to a strong NATO and transatlantic relationship."

He added that the acquisition of HIMARS multiple rocket launchers manufactured at the factory of the US company Lockheed Martin and their arrival in Estonia was an example of strong relations and very practical cooperation between Estonia and the USA.

They discussed Russia's aggression and providing continued comprehensive support to Ukraine. "Putin has not changed his goal - he still aims to defeat Ukraine and restructure Europe's security architecture," Tsahkna said, adding that there was nothing to indicate that Russia was interested in peace. "The only language that the Kremlin understands and actually respects is based on strength and real action. At the same time, China, Iran, and North Korea are also following developments in Ukraine. If Russia's aggression in Ukraine is successful, the victims are blamed and the West becomes 'tired', it will be a breeding ground for further acts of aggression around the world."

Talks also covered raising the cost of the war for Russia, including additional sanctions and the use of the frozen sovereign assets of Russia for the benefit of Ukraine.

Minister Tsahkna's meeting with Sullivan touched upon global security and ways of deepening transatlantic relations.

Discussions in influential think tanks focused on geopolitical threats and the strategic response of the West. Dr Nile Gardiner, Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation; Kimberley Kagan, President of the Institute for the Study of War, and Frederick Kagan and Marc Thiessen, representatives of the American Enterprise Institute, highlighted the need to preserve the unity of the US and its allies in defending democratic values.

Today, Tsahkna will speak at the opening panel of the Munich Leaders Meeting titled 'Back to Basics? Revisiting Shared Transatlantic Interests.' On the margins of the conference, Tsahkna will also meet with the new Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein, Sabine Monauni.