Today at 01:45
Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal met with Estonian President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Riigikogu President Lauri Hussar in Tallinn and
That’s according to Estonian ERR.
Karis emphasized that Ukraine has the right to strike targets in Russia.
“I consider Ukraine’s attacks on military targets deep inside Russia quite legitimate – this helps slow the Russian war machine. […] It is entirely legitimate in the war for the Ukrainian Defense Forces to destroy Russian infrastructure that is directly or more loosely tied to missile and drone attacks against Ukraine’s civilian and energy sites,” Karis stressed.
He also made it clear that no restrictions on aid to Ukraine should exist unless allies want to see new strikes of aggression from Russia.
Hence, Kaja Kallas reiterated that hopes for quick peace are a trap in this war.
“Russia will use this only to mobilize and attack even more decisively. We all want to live in peace, but it must be a just and lasting peace. Estonia supports and actively participates in President Zelensky’s peace plan, which is based on justice and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Kallas supported Ukraine’s efforts on implementing a peace formula.
In addition, she suggested that it was already necessary to think about the rebuilding of Ukraine in addition to continuing military assistance.
“The [Estonian — ed.] government has committed to long-term funding for both reconstruction and humanitarian aid. Estonia will continue to develop practical projects. We will focus on education, the social sphere and the reconstruction of buildings. We are mostly focused on the restoration of the Zhytomyr region,” Kallas said.
Both Karis and Kallas also noted the importance of long-term support for Ukraine and the need for Ukraine to join the EU and NATO.
“We hope that you will be able to start accession negotiations already during Belgium’s presidency [in 2024],” he said, adding that Estonia is ready to share its experience and knowledge with Ukraine.
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