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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: lasting peace in Ukraine is our common transatlantic interest

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

07.05.2025

On 6 and 7 May, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna visited Washington DC, where yesterday he participated in the opening discussion of the Munich Leaders Meeting titled 'Back to Basics? Revisiting Shared Transatlantic Interests.'

In addition to Tsahkna, UK Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard, US Representatives Rich McCormick and Jason Crow, the new Vice-President of the German Marshall Fund Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, and Wolfgang Ischinger, President of the Munich Security Conference Foundation Council, also took part in the opening panel of the conference.

In the discussion, Tsahkna underlined that although there was no indication that Russia was interested in peace, Western countries had to stand with Ukraine for a just peace. He pointed out that a stable and rules-based international order is a value that must be protected. "A peace achieved on Putin's terms will not last - it will only bring the next war closer," Tsahkna said. "We must strive for a just and lasting peace that guarantees Ukraine's sovereignty and our common security."

The foreign minister highlighted Estonia's position that Ukraine's long-term security is most effectively protected by NATO membership, but if it takes time to achieve this, Ukraine must be provided with effective deterrence and protective measures with allied forces on the ground. "Estonia will continue to convince allies and partners that it is necessary to support Ukraine in the long term and also to contribute to the deterrence force that ensures Ukraine's security," Tsahkna said, adding that Estonia is ready to contribute a company-sized Land Forces combat unit to the deterrence force.

As an important topic, the foreign minister also spoke about the strategic importance of rebuilding Ukraine, which creates new opportunities for transatlantic cooperation - jobs, securing supply chains and upholding common values.

Speaking about the use of the frozen assets of the Russian central bank for the reconstruction of Ukraine, Tsahkna pointed out Estonia's strong support and real steps to initiate this process. The minister called on the United States to work together to achieve this goal in order to help rebuild Ukraine and restore justice.

On the topic of defence spending, Tsahkna confirmed that Estonia would increase its defence expenditures to 5.4% of GDP and propose an increase in NATO's defence spending as well. "Europe is making a greater effort than ever, but continued US presence is indispensable to credible deterrence."

Tsahkna also took part in the panel on Ukraine titled 'Art of the Deal? Prospects for a Just Peace in Ukraine.'

On the margins of the conference, Tsahkna also met with the new Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein, Sabine Monaun, to discuss closer of cooperation and continued support for Ukraine.

Today and tomorrow, Tsahkna will represent Estonia at the informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers (Gymnich) in Warsaw, where the agenda includes Russia's aggression against Ukraine and relations between the European Union and the United States. In addition, a separate discussion on foreign policy issues will take place on the sidelines of the meeting with the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Lammy.