Estonian PM: Security guarantees for Ukraine must be the main topic of the meeting

TALLINN - Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said during a video meeting of the coalition of the willing on Sunday that at US President Donald Trump's meeting in Washington on Monday with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, the main topic must be providing Ukraine with strong and credible security guarantees.

"President Trump has confirmed the United States' readiness to contribute to Ukraine's security guarantees. From Estonia's perspective, this issue must also be the main topic of tomorrow's meeting in Washington," Michal said in a press release on Sunday. "Even if Ukraine's NATO membership takes time, the security guarantees offered must be as close as possible to Article 5," he added.

The Estonian prime minister also emphasized to his colleagues that Europe must be prepared to take the lead.

"Only by acting ourselves can we hope to convince the Americans to do the same," he said. "Estonia has stated its specific contribution to the coalition of the willing. Furthermore, Estonia believes that Ukraine's future in the European Union and NATO is the best long-term guarantee we can offer."

After the video meeting, Michal stated that no one trusts Putin and that pressure on the aggressor will continue.

"There is full support for Ukraine. It is necessary to reach an unconditional ceasefire; Ukraine cannot conduct negotiations under bombardment," Michal said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participated in the meeting of the coalition of the willing, as it is known. On Monday, he will meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump, along with several European leaders.