Estonian formin on Day of Restoration of Independence: Price of aggression must be raised

TALLINN – The price of aggression must rise for Russia before autumn, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said in his comment on the restoration of Estonia's independence on August 20, 1991, published on Saturday. 

"The price of aggression must rise for Russia before autumn without delay. It is the moral duty of democratic nations but also in the interest of our own security," the Estonian minister said according to spokespeople.

"Today marks 31 years since Estonia restored its sovereignty, which was brutally taken from us. Estonia, a free and democratic thriving nation had to endure the Soviet and Nazi occupation for more than half a century," Reinsalu said.

He said that although whole generations grew up whose freedom was abducted from them, we as a nation never surrendered to slavery. With the help of democratic nations we restored our independence. 

"At this moment Russia is conducting a genocidal war against Ukraine. Our duty to humanity is to stand up against this evil. For this, the countries supporting Ukraine must ramp up defense aid and impose additional sanctions against Russia," Reinsalu said.

"Today as we celebrate the restoration of Estonian independence we commemorate everyone who lost their lives in the name of our freedom. The women and men who are defending the right to freedom in the frontlines of Ukraine are in our prayers," the minister said.