Undersecretary Lind stresses the importance of supporting Ukraine in the US

TALLINN – This week, from May 5 to 8, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Undersecretary for Global Affairs, Minna-Liina Lind, visited the United States, where she stressed that continued support for Ukraine is in the interest of the entire Euro-Atlantic security.

In Washington, she met with representatives of the U.S. State Department, Congress, and several organizations. In New York, Lind participated in the International Migration Review Forum. She also met with global partners and Sofia Borges, Chef de Cabinet to the President of the UN General Assembly, and took part in a discussion with the European Union's Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner.

In meetings with representatives from the U.S. State Department and Congress, Undersecretary Lind focused on developments in the Middle East, increasing pressure on Russia, and supporting Ukraine. Cooperation within the UN and in the technology sector was also discussed.

Undersecretary Lind emphasized that Russia remains Europe's greatest security threat. Given Russia's ongoing full-scale aggression in Ukraine and its hostile activities towards European countries, she stressed the importance of continuing to pressure Russia. This includes maintaining its political and economic isolation, strengthening sanctions, and restricting the entry and movement of combatants involved in Russia's war of aggression, both in Europe and elsewhere.

"We see clearly that Russia has not changed its strategic goals and is not interested in peace. This week, Moscow violated a ceasefire—proposed by both Ukraine and itself—with extensive drone attacks that targeted a kindergarten, among other things. We must do everything to tighten the screws on the Kremlin's war machine and prevent the aggressor from profiting from events in the Middle East," the undersecretary said. 

Undersecretary Lind stressed that the united support of the Euro-Atlantic region for Ukraine is directly linked to the security of everyone. "Standing with Ukraine also means defending the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity," she noted. "Military aid, long-term economic support for Ukraine's reconstruction, and the strengthening of international accountability mechanisms all help ensure that Russia cannot rewrite international norms or allow aggression to triumph."

The undersecretary also emphasized the need to continue international efforts to return the tens of thousands of Ukrainian children deported to Russia. She acknowledged the contribution of the United States and First Lady Melania Trump in keeping the issue in the global spotlight. "Russia's attempts to forcibly Russify and militarize Ukrainian children must fail," she stated. 

The meetings also covered bilateral relations. Undersecretary Lind thanked the United States for its continued contribution to Estonia's security and discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation, particularly in the fields of maritime security, economy, digital and cybersecurity, and energy.

In New York, the undersecretary participated in the International Migration Review Forum, which aims to assess the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. During a meeting with global partners, she stressed the importance of adhering to the principles of international law and the UN Charter, as well as the need to support Ukraine. The situation in the Middle East was also discussed. Meetings in both Washington and New York also covered this year's UN Secretary-General election and the UN reform process.