Today 18 November, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels to discuss Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, continued comprehensive support to Ukraine, and the situation in Georgia.
The meeting was held ahead of the imminent 1000-day anniversary of Russia’s full-scale aggression in Ukraine and as Russia launched yet another massive missile strike on Ukraine targeting the country’s energy infrastructure. “We must change the course of the aggression and take concrete steps,” Tsahkna said. “Winter is here, Ukraine needs money to ensure its fighters on the front have the necessary equipment and weapons, and to protect Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure from Russia’s constant barrage of missiles. For months now, we have been saying that we need a decision on the Ukraine package of the European Peace Facility to help Ukraine.”
“We must increase support for Ukraine’s air defence and ensure Ukraine has the capability to respond to Russia’s attacks, without any red lines or restrictions,” Tsahkna said, noting that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has not continued for 1000 days; instead, it began 4000 days ago, in 2014. He added that Putin had not changed his course and continued to escalate his aggression. “North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russian soldiers now and Iran is supplying military equipment to Russia.”
Tsahkna welcomed the adoption of additional sanctions against Iran today, imposed for the country’s support to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The scope of the EU’s restrictive measures against Iran was widened, targeting products used in the production of drones and missiles (special materials, equipment necessary for processing materials, electronic components, navigation devices). A transaction ban was introduced, prohibiting any transaction with ports and locks that are used for the transfer of Iranian drones or missiles to Russia. One individual and four entities linked to Iran’s deliveries to Russia were added to the list of sanctions. “However, this is not enough,” Tsahkna said. “It is crucial to move forward with additional sanctions on Russia and they must be effective.”
The ministers also discussed using the frozen principal assets of Russia. “The decision of G7 states to make around €45 billion available to Ukraine by the end of the year must be only the beginning because Ukraine’s needs already exceed $500 billion and are growing,” Tsahkna said. “We must continue working towards using the principal assets of the one who has caused the damage – Russia – to compensate Ukraine for this damage.”
At today’s meeting, the ministers also spoke about EU-Georgia relations following the 26 October parliamentary elections in Georgia, where many violations took place according to election monitors. “Russia’s aggression should not be an excuse for ignoring the fact that other parts of Europe are turning their back on democracy,” Tsahkna said, saying it was regrettable that Georgia’s EU integration had halted.
The ministers also spoke about the situation in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, including humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan, and EU-US relations.
Photos of the meeting: https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/albums/72177720322002152/
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