Tsahkna: Stronger pressure will force Russia to take negotiations seriously

TALLINN – Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna discussed the current state of peace negotiations and future steps with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in a phone call on Monday.

"Yesterday's meeting in Florida showed that both Ukraine and the United States want to achieve peace and are working towards it. The only one still not interested in peace is Russia, which has not shown the slightest willingness to abandon the goals that led to the aggression – the destruction of Ukraine's sovereignty and the reshaping of European security. Just last weekend, we saw Russia devastate residential areas in Ukrainian cities and the country's energy infrastructure with air strikes," said Foreign Minister Tsahkna.

"Until Russia demonstrates its readiness for a just and lasting peace, all efforts must continue to be directed at supporting Ukraine and applying even stronger pressure on the aggressor than before, to finally compel them to take negotiations seriously," the foreign minister said.

"Ukraine must be supplied militarily so it can resist the aggressor on the front line and protect its cities from the barrage of Russian drones and missiles. At the same time, the European Union is working on its 20th sanctions package to limit Russia's economic ability to continue the war. We must also continue to work out the details of security guarantees, as only strong guarantees will ensure that Russia's aggression does not happen again," he said.

"Europe must take a leading role in providing security guarantees and contribute with real military capabilities, while the participation of the US is also important. Estonia already announced its readiness this spring to contribute up to a company-sized unit, along with training and staff officers, as part of a coalition of the willing," Tsahkna said.