Estonian defmin in Washington: Allies must decide on defense spending increase

TALLINN - Estonian Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur, who was on a two-day visit to Washington, D.C., noted that the allies will have to decide on national defense spending of 5 percent of GDP at the NATO summit in The Hague.

Pevkur met with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, members of the US Congress and Senate, think tanks and media outlets to discuss the global security situation and present Estonia's positions ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.

"Estonia's decision to increase its defense budget to 5.4 percent for the next four years and its activities for major capability developments have clearly attracted attention on this side of the ocean. Estonia was recognized, but it was also always made clear that all of Europe must contribute more to defense," Pevkur said.

The presence of US forces in Estonia and the other Baltic states is an important part of the deterrence and defense posture on the eastern flank, which helps ensure regional peace and security.

"I left the meetings here with the message that our greatest ally, the United States, is firmly with us. Estonia is seen as a strong, like-minded and reliable partner whose well-being is important on this side of the Atlantic as well. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard specifically highlighted the excellent cooperation between Estonia and the United States in confronting common threats and the determination to continue doing so," the minister said.

"In conclusion, it must be stated that since Russia has not changed its strategic goals, all allies in Europe must contribute more to defense. Development in this direction is certainly visible, but at the NATO summit in The Hague we expect a higher defense spending level to be set jointly with all allies, which would also reflect the capability developments necessary to fulfill the new defense plans," he added.

During the meetings, Pevkur also explained the need to continue supporting Ukraine.

"Ukrainian President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy has consistently demonstrated his desire to achieve peace. At the same time, pressure on Russia must increase so that the guns finally fall silent. The European Union, together with the United States and other partners, must impose additional sanctions on Russia and continue military assistance until Russia accepts a ceasefire," the minister said. "At the same time, everyone in Washington today is clearly waiting to see whether President [Vladimir] Putin will appear in Turkey for talks with President Zelenskyy at the end of the week or not, as the next steps will depend on that."

During the two-day visit, Pevkur met with think tanks and defense specialists at the America First Foreign Policy Institute and the Heritage Foundation, and held a roundtable discussion with representatives of Carnegie, CNAS, RAND, the Stimson Center, and the Foreign Policy Research Institute. From Congress, the minister met with representatives Jake Ellzey, Betty McCollum, Ed Case, and senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman. In addition, a media roundtable was held at the Estonian embassy.