This week, from 5 to 8 May, Undersecretary for Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minna Liina Lind,
was on a visit to the United States. In Washington, she met representatives of the US Department of State, Congress, and several organisations. In New York, Lind participated in the International Migration Review Forum. She also met global partners and the Chef de Cabinet to the President of the UN General Assembly, Sofia Borges, and took part in a discussion with European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner.
In meetings with representatives of the US Department of State and Congress, Undersecretary Lind focused on developments in the Middle East, as well as on increasing pressure on Russia and supporting Ukraine. Cooperation within the United Nations and in the field of technology was also discussed.
Undersecretary Lind emphasised that Russia remains the greatest security threat to Europe. In light of Russia’s ongoing full-scale aggression in Ukraine and its hostile activities towards European countries, it is essential to continue exerting pressure on Russia, including maintaining its political and economic isolation, strengthening sanctions, and restricting the entry and movement of fighters involved in Russia’s war of aggression both in Europe and elsewhere. “It is clear that Russia has not changed its strategic objectives and is not interested in peace. This week, Moscow violated both Ukraine’s proposed ceasefire and its own ceasefire with large-scale drone attacks, which, among other targets, targeted a kindergarten. We must do everything to constrain the Kremlin’s war machine and prevent the aggressor from exploiting developments in the Middle East,” the undersecretary said.
Undersecretary Lind stressed that unified support for Ukraine across the Euro-Atlantic region is directly linked to the security of us all. “Standing with Ukraine also means defending the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she noted. “Both military assistance and long-term economic support for Ukraine’s reconstruction, as well as strengthening international accountability mechanisms, help ensure that Russia cannot rewrite international norms or allow aggression to prevail.”
She also underlined the need to continue international efforts to secure the return of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children deported to Russia and commended the United States and First Lady Melania Trump for keeping the issue in the global spotlight. “Russia’s attempts to forcibly Russify and militarise Ukrainian children must fail,” she said.
Bilateral relations were also discussed during the meetings. Undersecretary Lind thanked the United States for its continued contribution to Estonia’s security and explored opportunities to deepen cooperation, particularly in maritime security, the economy, digital and cyber security, and energy.
In New York, the undersecretary participated in the Global Forum on Migration Review, which aims to assess the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. In discussions with global partners, she emphasised the importance of upholding international law and the principles of the UN Charter, as well as the importance of supporting Ukraine, and developments in the Middle East were also addressed. Meetings in both Washington and New York also covered, among other topics, this year’s UN Secretary-General election and the UN reform process.
Additional information
Communication Department
[email protected]
www.vm.ee | @MFAestonia