Estonian PM: Rapid ammunition delivery to Ukraine can change course of war
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated this in Brussels before the meeting of EU heads of state and government, Ukrinform reports.
The Prime Minister of Estonia called for using all available levers (political pressure and isolation, economic sanctions, etc.) to pressure Russia to end the war. The war will end when Russia realizes that it was a mistake.
She thanked the leaders of the member states, the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, and the EU High Representative for the decision to urgently supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Just five weeks ago, the Prime Minister of Estonia submitted such a proposal for consideration, and a decision has already been made.
According to Kallas, the decision to supply a million artillery shells to Ukraine is a positive one. This is a significant amount. It needs to be done in a short period of time, within one year. Whether that will be enough or not depends on how the war goes and how long it lasts. It is critically important to send ammunition to Ukraine quickly. It can bring changes to the war, Estonian Prime Minister emphasized.
Kallas says it is necessary to act in both directions (send ammunition to Ukraine and replenish European stockpiles). This should be done simultaneously. But it is better to send first and then replenish. Joint purchase of ammunition is planned. Therefore, the European defense industry can double its production, the Estonian official added.
A question was asked about the possibility of China intervening in the war on Russia's side. Answering journalists, the Prime Minister of Estonia expressed hope that China would abide by its international obligations and defend the UN Charter.
It is important that China also respects international rules and the UN Charter, according to which no country can attack another country. If a country is attacked, it has the right to defend itself. Therefore, it is an expression of respect for the UN Charter to send arms to a defending country. At the same time, supporting an aggressor is the opposite. Thus, there is an aggressor and a victim of aggression in this situation, Kallas noted.
She emphasized that any war ends in peace negotiations. But the question is when and under what conditions such negotiations are possible.
In this case, there is one aggressor and one victim. This means that Russia must return to its borders and agree to pay reparations, Estonian Prime Minister expressed her conviction.
As reported, a two-day EU summit begins in Brussels on March 23. The first issue on the agenda will be the situation in Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via teleconference.
Other issues to be considered by EU leaders will be the sustainability of EU’s Single Market, economy, financial stability, and ensuring EU competitiveness.
Photo: Government Office
