Ukraine's victory key to Eastern Partnership states' freedom of determination

TALLINN – Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said at the Eastern Partnership conference on Wednesday that Ukraine's victory in the war is a prerequisite for the freedom of the Eastern Partnership countries to determine their own future.

Reinsalu said at the conference, which focused on Russian aggression and support for Ukraine, that the premise of the future security architecture of Europe is Ukraine's victory in the war.

"The European security architecture to be created as a result of this victory will be organized in such a way that Russia can no longer dictate to its neighbors or other regions of Europe their way of life and security principles," the minister said.

He stressed that Russia's aggression against Ukraine has a strong impact on many regions outside of Europe as well.

"We know that Russia's war in Ukraine is affecting food security and raising food prices, which in turn is increasing hunger and exacerbating human suffering," Reinsalu said.

"However, there is reason to be optimistic, especially thanks to the brave and courageous struggle of the Ukrainians. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have taken back thousands of square kilometers of their land. The international community stands firmly on the side of Ukraine. And the greater our solidarity with Ukraine, the faster we will end Russian aggression," the minister added.

The Eastern Partnership conference was held in Tallinn on Wednesday and focused on the development of the European Union's eastern neighbors in a security environment radically changed due to the war started by Russia. 

The conference, titled "EU Enlargement and the Eastern Partnership: Europe’s New Geopolitical Reality", was organized by the International Center for Defense and Security (ICDS) and the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.