Today, 4 March, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the informal meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) foreign ministers in Warsaw. Discussions focused on continued support for Ukraine, the development of security guarantees for Ukraine, preparations for NATO’s Ankara Summit, and the security situation in light of events in the Middle East.
“Today, the priority for the countries gathered in Warsaw remains Ukraine, because everyone understands that Europe’s long-term security is most directly influenced by the outcome of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Our attention must remain on continued military, economic, and political support for Ukraine and on developing security guarantees for Ukraine that would ensure Russia’s aggression is never repeated,” Tsahkna said. “At the same time, we must recognise that in the future Ukraine itself will be an important provider of security guarantees for us.”
“Meanwhile, we must continue to strengthen sanctions against Russia and deter Russia’s shadow fleet in order to reduce the resources in Russia’s state budget available for waging war. Only through the combined effect of supporting Ukraine and pressuring Russia can we achieve a just and lasting peace in Europe,” the foreign minister said.
Tsahkna commended the actions of Belgium and France last weekend, when they successfully blocked the movement of a Russian shadow fleet vessel sailing under a false flag in the North Sea. “This was a decisive step with a direct impact on Russia’s ability to finance its war of aggression,” the minister said.
“The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss possible joint steps and international cooperation to ensure the safety of citizens in the Middle East and their swift return home,” Tsahkna said.
The broader discussion addressed the impact of events in the Middle East on European security, energy security, energy prices, and freedom of transport and navigation.
“The situation in the Middle East shows no signs of calming, and developments there have a direct impact on the security of NATO Allies. Today, NATO air defence was forced to shoot down an Iranian ballistic missile approaching Turkish airspace, and the day before yesterday a British base in Cyprus was hit by a drone. Estonia condemns Iran’s unjustified attacks and supports the readiness of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to defend their interests and those of their allies in the region,” Tsahkna said.
According to the foreign minister, it is also crucial to ensure freedom of transport and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. “The European Union has decided to strengthen the naval mission Aspides in the Red Sea, and the United States has announced plans to begin providing insurance for vessels transiting the strait and to escort oil tankers there to prevent an increase in oil prices,” Tsahkna said.
The Council of the Baltic Sea States is a multilateral cooperation forum for the Baltic Sea region aimed at strengthening and deepening mutual cooperation. The CBSS includes Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and the European Union. Estonia held the rotating presidency of the CBSS last year, and Poland holds the presidency this year.
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