Yesterday, September 21, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna began his visit to the United States in New York, where, during meetings held as part of the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly, he focused on European security, support for Ukraine, and improving the effectiveness of the UN.
Speaking alongside former Polish President Andrzej Duda at a discussion on the security of NATO’s eastern flank during the prestigious Concordia Summit, Tsahkna stressed that there is calm behind Estonia’s borders because Russian forces are occupied in Ukraine.
“We must be prepared for Russia to continue provocations and acts of sabotage against those supporting Ukraine, but talk that Russia is ready for a military confrontation with NATO does not correspond to reality. There are no Russian troops behind our borders,” Tsahkna emphasized.
According to the Foreign Minister, Estonia’s threat assessment has not changed.
“Talk of war is being used to spread fear, which is intended to deter us from continuing to support Ukraine. We must not allow Putin’s intimidation tactics to prevail,” said Tsahkna.
Yesterday, an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers also took place in New York, where the Foreign Minister emphasized the need to support Ukraine both militarily and economically ahead of the coming winter.
Tsahkna also participated yesterday in the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL), organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF). He held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Costa Rica and Qatar, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset.
“Security in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America is closely interconnected. At today’s meetings, we agreed that it is in all of our security interests to strengthen cooperation and have a strong United Nations capable of defending its Charter and its principles,” said the Foreign Minister.
Photos from the Foreign Minister’s visit to New York.
The Foreign Minister’s doorstep interview ahead of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting.
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