Tsahkna at Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs: Ukraine has the right to strike military targets outside its territory in the name of victory
Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
31.05.2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna attended the informal Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Prague today and yesterday, where he stressed that the goal of the Allies must be the victory of Ukraine, and to achieve this, Ukraine has the right to strike military targets also on Russian territory.
"Wars are not won if victory is not set as a clear goal," Tsahkna said. "The Allies must make Ukraine's victory their objective and take all measures to achieve this."
Tsahkna called on the Allies to further assist Ukraine and in particular to deliver air defence and ammunition to Ukraine. The minister noted that it is also essential to ensure the long-term and sustainable nature of military aid to Ukraine, as this is the only way to enable Ukraine to plan its activities to counter aggression. "Estonia intends to allocate 0.25% of GDP for military assistance for Ukraine every year until 2027 and we call on all Allies to do the same," said Tsahkna. He added that he fully backs the discussions on NATO's increased role in supporting Ukraine.
Tsahkna also reiterated Estonia's previously expressed position that Ukraine has the right to defend itself from aggression, including by striking military targets in Russia. "Estonia was one of the first to provide military aid to Ukraine and has not placed any restrictions on Ukraine's use thereof. We will continue to do so in the same way in the future," the minister assured.
Speaking about the Washington Summit, Tsahkna stressed the importance of sending a clear message that Ukraine is on an irreversible path towards NATO membership.
Strengthening the deterrence and defence capability of the Allies was also discussed at the meeting. In relation to this, Tsahkna emphasised that the current defence spending target of 2% is no longer sufficient in the current security situation. "In order to fully implement our defence plans, the Allies should increase their defence expenditure to at least 2.5% of GDP," the minister said.
Tsahkna also highlighted the need to counter Russia's hybrid activities. "Russia has become increasingly brazen in its hybrid activities that undermine our societies' sense of security, and this must be countered," Tsahkna explained.
Several bilateral meetings were also held in Prague. Tsahkna joined French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné in discussing possible next steps to help Ukraine win the war, including the use of frozen assets to help Ukraine. The meeting with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlić-Radman focused on the European integration of the Western Balkans, but the situation in Ukraine was also touched upon.
The meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs followed the coordination meeting of Nordic-Baltic Cooperation (NB8) Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which has become a new tradition after Finland and Sweden joined the Alliance.
"Wars are not won if victory is not set as a clear goal," Tsahkna said. "The Allies must make Ukraine's victory their objective and take all measures to achieve this."
Tsahkna called on the Allies to further assist Ukraine and in particular to deliver air defence and ammunition to Ukraine. The minister noted that it is also essential to ensure the long-term and sustainable nature of military aid to Ukraine, as this is the only way to enable Ukraine to plan its activities to counter aggression. "Estonia intends to allocate 0.25% of GDP for military assistance for Ukraine every year until 2027 and we call on all Allies to do the same," said Tsahkna. He added that he fully backs the discussions on NATO's increased role in supporting Ukraine.
Tsahkna also reiterated Estonia's previously expressed position that Ukraine has the right to defend itself from aggression, including by striking military targets in Russia. "Estonia was one of the first to provide military aid to Ukraine and has not placed any restrictions on Ukraine's use thereof. We will continue to do so in the same way in the future," the minister assured.
Speaking about the Washington Summit, Tsahkna stressed the importance of sending a clear message that Ukraine is on an irreversible path towards NATO membership.
Strengthening the deterrence and defence capability of the Allies was also discussed at the meeting. In relation to this, Tsahkna emphasised that the current defence spending target of 2% is no longer sufficient in the current security situation. "In order to fully implement our defence plans, the Allies should increase their defence expenditure to at least 2.5% of GDP," the minister said.
Tsahkna also highlighted the need to counter Russia's hybrid activities. "Russia has become increasingly brazen in its hybrid activities that undermine our societies' sense of security, and this must be countered," Tsahkna explained.
Several bilateral meetings were also held in Prague. Tsahkna joined French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné in discussing possible next steps to help Ukraine win the war, including the use of frozen assets to help Ukraine. The meeting with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlić-Radman focused on the European integration of the Western Balkans, but the situation in Ukraine was also touched upon.
The meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs followed the coordination meeting of Nordic-Baltic Cooperation (NB8) Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which has become a new tradition after Finland and Sweden joined the Alliance.
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