Today, 23 February, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna participated in a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, where Russia’s
aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East were discussed. According to the foreign minister, Hungary’s and Slovakia’s actions in blocking the 20th sanctions package are irresponsible, and work will continue to ensure swift progress in supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia.
“The atmosphere at today’s meeting of EU foreign ministers was tense, because while 25 countries are ready to move forward with increasing pressure on Russia, two countries are preventing this. By doing so, Hungary and Slovakia are hindering progress towards a just and lasting peace, because only by increasing pressure can Russia be compelled to end its war of aggression,” Tsahkna said, adding that this not only undermines Ukraine’s ability to resist, but also poses a threat to Europe’s long-term security.
“Adopting a strong EU 20th sanctions package would significantly reduce the revenues flowing into Russia’s state budget, meaning that Russia would have fewer resources to continue its war against Ukraine,” Tsahkna said. “If the 20th sanctions package were to include a full ban on maritime services for vessels transporting Russian oil, this would remove approximately one million barrels of Russian oil per day from the global market — that is, 20–25% of current deliveries. The measures in the package would also restrict Russia’s ability to circumvent the oil price cap and to acquire tankers for its shadow fleet.”
“Estonia, together with other European Union member states, will continue efforts to ensure that the sanctions package is adopted in the near future and that it becomes possible to move forward with disbursing the EU’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine, agreed by the Union’s leaders at the end of last year but now being blocked by Hungary,” the foreign minister affirmed. “The overwhelming majority of EU member states stand firmly behind Ukraine and are working to increase support and strengthen pressure on Russia.”
At the meeting, Tsahkna also raised the need to move forward with imposing an entry ban to the Schengen area for Russian fighters.
“There is growing recognition that Russian fighters pose a threat to Europe’s security and that this must be addressed,” Tsahkna said. “Ukraine has also expressed support for Estonia’s initiative and has called on countries to join it.”
The situation in the Middle East was discussed today with High Representative for Gaza Nikolay Mladenov. Foreign Minister Tsahkna stressed the need to continue implementing the Gaza peace plan and preparing EU missions. Addressing the situation in Iran, Tsahkna noted that Estonia recognises the efforts to curb the Iranian regime’s nuclear programme, which poses a threat to both regional and global security.
“Our attention must remain focused both on the Iranian authorities’ human rights violations against their own population and on Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression,” Tsahkna stressed.
Ahead of the foreign ministers’ meeting, an informal discussion was held on hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).
“The central aim of countering FIMI is to shape an environment that prevents information manipulation. Societal resilience is key here, and its main foundations are open and transparent government communication, a free media and education,” Tsahkna said.
Photos from the meeting.
The foreign minister’s doorstep statement ahead of the meeting.
Additional information:
Communication Department
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