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Tsahkna at the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels: Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine remains the EU's primary security concern

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

23.06.2025 | 19:16

Today 23 June, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels. The meeting focused on support for Ukraine, continued pressure on Russia, EU-China relations, the situation in the Middle East, and developments in Georgia.

"Today's discussions in the EU Foreign Affairs Council confirmed the EU's determination to support Ukraine and to continue pressuring Russia. They also reaffirmed that, despite conflicts in the Middle East, Russia's war of aggression remains the EU's top security issue," the foreign minister said. Tsahkna stressed that Estonia supports the swift adoption of a robust 18th sanctions package. "Although we would have preferred to move forward at today's meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, certain political decisions must now be made at the upcoming European Council. It is regrettable that consensus has not yet been reached," Minister Tsahkna said. "Estonia considers it essential that the package also include the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, and that the oil price cap be lowered to $45 per barrel," he emphasised.

"I am hopeful that the European Council starting this Thursday will finalise the package as swiftly as the situation demands. Time is of the essence - every delay gives Russia room to adapt. Estonia will continue to advocate for stronger, more comprehensive and enforceable sanctions, particularly with regard to circumvention and the handling of critical technologies. We must maintain our strategic focus: weakening the Kremlin's war machine and supporting Ukraine's victory," Tsahkna stated.

The foreign minister also underscored the need to prevent the operations of the shadow fleet and stressed that simply maintaining frozen Russian assets is not enough - solutions are needed for using them in a targeted way.

Tsahkna also told the EU foreign ministers that the time has come to move forward with Ukraine's accession talks and to open the first negotiation chapter. "Ukraine has fulfilled all the necessary conditions to launch the first round of accession negotiations, and now it is up to the European Union to take a decisive step," Tsahkna said.

The meeting also addressed EU-China relations and China's role as an enabler of Russia's war of aggression. "Enabling Russia's war of aggression poses a clear threat to European security," Tsahkna noted.

On the topic of the Middle East, Tsahkna highlighted the need to continue diplomatic efforts to stabilise the region, especially by pressuring Iran to return to nuclear negotiations. "It is critical that hostilities between Iran and Israel come to an end and that the situation does not escalate further," he said. He also emphasised that the EU must not turn a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "The EU must continue to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid in accordance with international law."

The increasingly difficult situation in Georgia was also discussed at the meeting. "Due to the new wave of repression, the European Union must exert pressure on the Georgian authorities by imposing targeted sanctions and considering the suspension of visa-free travel," Tsahkna said.