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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: The destruction caused by Russia's aggression must be compensated with its frozen assets

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

19.01.2024

Today 19 January, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was on a visit to Bulgaria's capital Sofia, where he had meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel and President Rumen Radev to discuss support for Ukraine in fighting Russia's aggression and using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.

At the meetings, Tsahkna recalled that this year, Estonia and Bulgaria are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their accession into NATO. "NATO is facing the greatest security challenge of its history - a brutal war of aggression in Europe. In light of this, we feel the protection of NATO's umbrella particularly clearly," Tsahkna said. "It is obvious that like-minded countries like Estonia and Bulgaria must contribute to building Europe's new security architecture with European Union enlargement and NATO's open door policy as its integral parts."

Tsahkna recognised Bulgaria for supporting Ukraine and outlined the agreement of the Estonian government on long-term support for Ukraine, with 0.25% of the GDP in the next four years allocated for military support to Ukraine. "Estonia's calculations show that if all like-minded countries would support Ukraine militarily to the same extent, Ukraine's victory would be within reach."

The meetings also covered raising the cost of the aggression for Russia by ramping up existing sanctions and imposing new ones.

"Any economic interaction with Russia and circumvention of sanctions allows Moscow to obtain resources to keep its war machine running and continue its brutal aggression," the foreign minister said.

At the meetings, Tsahkna raised the need to use frozen Russian assets and presented the relevant bill of the Estonian government, currently processed in the Riigikogu. "Russia's brutal invasion has caused unimaginable suffering and destruction in Ukraine," Tsahkna said. "Moscow must pay for the damage it has caused with its aggression and the best way to do this now is to use frozen Russian assets and direct them to the aid of Ukraine."

The meeting also included possibilities for closer bilateral relations between Estonia and Bulgaria and economic cooperation. Tsahkna expressed support for Bulgaria's ambition to join the Eurozone and the OECD, and its complete accession into the Schengen area.