Estonian formin in Kyiv: Europe must avoid war fatigue

TALLINN – Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Kyiv on Monday that Europe must not let war fatigue take over.

The morning session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy covered the EU's security guarantees to Ukraine, and the country's reconstruction and reforms. Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers also met with their Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to discuss regional cooperation in assisting Ukraine, spokespeople for the Ministry of Foreign affairs in Tallinn said.

"The foreign ministers of the 27 European Union member states staying in Kyiv is a symbolic event. It shows our unity and unwavering resolve in our continued support to Ukraine until the war is won and beyond. Here, in Kyiv, there are hard battles being fought only a few hundred kilometers away but we and other Western partners are not afraid of the aggressor," Tsahkna said. 

"Estonia will continue to provide military support to Ukraine, contributing 1 percent of our GDP," Tsahkna said, calling on everyone to make an effort to boost the EU's military assistance and reinforce the sanctions.

"The government of Estonia foresees continued support to Ukraine in the reconstruction process, which is made easier by the Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund created by the EU. I would like to recognize Ukraine for implementing reforms, and it is important we are making steady progress towards launching EU accession negotiations," the Estonian minister said, adding that hopefully this will take place as early as at the end of this year.

The afternoon discussion of European Union foreign ministers concentrated on more efficient inclusion of global partners in support for Ukraine.

"Despite its brutal aggression, Russia is still not completely isolated. Putin and Lavrov are ruthless war criminals but despite everything, they remain on the international arena," Tsahkna said.

The ministers also spoke about holding Russia accountable for the crime of aggression. 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and the 27 foreign ministers of the EU placed flowers on a memorial war dedicated to soldiers killed in Russia's aggression.