Defmin: People of Estonia have a duty to stand up for their free country

TALLINN - On the occasion of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur laid a wreath at the foot of the monument to the victory in the War of Independence on Monday morning and said in his speech that the people of Estonia have something to be proud of, but everyone also has the honor and the obligation to stand for the freedom of this beautiful country and to preserve its self-determination.

"When the world is restless, we must remain calm. As Estonians, we have always managed to maintain Nordic balance and stay united in difficult times. This is our strength as a people and this is our strength as a state. When the newly created Estonian state fought for its freedom, we knew that Russia, which wanted to destroy our self-determination, was bigger and more powerful than us. But we had the people's strong will to defend. We had allies and we were smarter than our opponent. Today, on behalf of all people of Estonia, we lay wreaths in memory of our fallen heroes. This is a tribute to those who have given their lives for the freedom of Estonia at different times," the minister said.

According to him, this is also symbolically a wreath for the fallen heroes of Ukraine, because they too have given their lives in the fight against the Red Terror, which launched a full-scale war of aggression exactly three years ago to take away self-determination from the Ukrainians, destroy the country, and more broadly change the balance of security in Europe.

"Although the aggressor has not achieved any strategic goals, in recent days we have reached a point where the confidence of both Ukrainians and allies has been shaken," Pevkur said.

He recalled that on Feb. 24, 1993, President Lennart Meri said this in his first Independence Day speech: "I address the Estonian people with warning words: "Unfortunately, the democratic restructuring of our neighboring country is retreating in the face of a new aggressive, neocolonialism-oriented foreign policy concept." President Meri admitted that these ideas were only germinating in the minds of Russian extremists at the time, but then warned: "Do not treat this with arrogance, as we all once treated the ideas of 'Mein Kampf' with arrogance: 'Mein Kampf' gained legitimacy in Munich and realized itself in Coventry and Paris, El-Alamein and Stalingrad, Monte Cassino and the Ardennes."

"Although 32 years have passed since these words were spoken, they are more than relevant right this minute. Developments in the world show how fragile democracy is as we understand it. And how fragile peace is. Because dictators, unfortunately, love wars. Let it be reaffirmed -- Estonia will never recognize borders moved by tanks and missiles, and Estonia will help Ukrainians fight for their land and people. Because the values ​​that Ukraine is currently fighting for are also directly related to our values ​​and freedoms," Pevkur said.

According to him, fear is a bad helper because it paralyzes.

"We cannot submit to either fear or dictatorship. It is our shared responsibility to stick together in difficult times. The foundation of our freedom is the people's unanimous will to protect themselves and their freedom. The people must know that their country breathes in the same rhythm as them. A country that concentrates everyone's strength precisely where every spike counts and where every spike provides the greatest added value for the protection of freedom. Be it a contribution as a member of the defense forces, a member of the Kaitseliit (Defense League) volunteer corps, a police officer, a rescuer, a doctor, or even an activist in a village community movement," Pevkur said.

"Each of us has a role in preserving freedom. As did and still do our allies. We are not alone, no matter what the propaganda of the aggressor state says. We stand up for each other in Europe and this is our trump card -- different peoples and different countries standing up for common values ​​and freedoms!" the minister added.

"Let's take this moment today and forget the modesty that is typical of Estonians. Let's recognize together the development of our country and the fact that we have all contributed to this development in our own way. We have very, very much that unites us and of whom to be proud. Be it figure skating and the recent European champion Niina Petrõkina or the Invictus Games for wounded soldiers and the men who brought back gold medals from there -- Master Sgt. Rasmus Penno, who won gold in sit-down skiing, and veteran Ardo Huul, who won gold in snowboard slalom. Or our rich culture, where Doris Kareva, Peeter Simm and Tõnu Kaljuste received lifetime achievement awards this year," Pevkur said.

"We have something to be proud of, but we all also have the honor and the obligation to stand for the freedom of this beautiful land and to preserve its self-determination. Because this wonderful Nordic piece of land has been the true home of Estonians for more than 10,000 years. That is why every native tree, riverbed, forest patch and meadow bears its own name. That is why this land is so eternally ours. Congratulations, dear homeland!" the minister added.