by Andrea Marinelli
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas explains the importance of a clear EU and NATO position for a Baltic country. “The sanctions make it clear that no one who supports the Moscow machine should feel untouchable”
“Ukraine is fighting for our values,” says Kaja Kallas, 44, Prime Minister of Estonia since January 2021, a privileged outpost to observe what’s happening at Europe’s borders. “For years, the Baltic states, but also Poland, have been drawing attention to our increasingly aggressive neighbors. Now the whole world can see how Putin has evolved from an autocrat to an aggressor and Russia from a complicated tight turn to a rogue state ».
Prime Minister, how can we stop this?
“I think the EU, NATO, the G7 and also the wider international community have shown incredible unity and that surprised Putin negatively. So far, the EU has made historic decisions to isolate Russia politically, militarily and economically. The sanctions make it clear that no one who supports Putin’s machine should feel untouchable. And it is important that the push does not only come from governments: a large number of private companies, cultural organizations and sports federations have taken the decision to suspend relations with Russia and withdraw from the country ».
Do you think Putin wants to rebuild the Russian empire?
«Putin has never hidden his imperial ambitions. We saw it in Georgia, in Crimea, in eastern Ukraine. Now it has to fail, and it has to be an obvious failure. His war in Ukraine showed something he didn’t expect: the democracies are strong, united and they will fight to the end».
Are you satisfied with the response of NATO and the European Union?
“I think they are doing a great job to help Ukraine. We’re trying to end Putin’s aggression, not expand it. The allies, each in different guises, have provided Ukraine with an unprecedented level of military, wartime, economic and diplomatic assistance. However, we must do more while increasing NATO’s defense capabilities, which must adapt to the new reality: this means making quick decisions, such as establishing a permanent presence in the Baltic Sea region. Ever since Estonia regained its independence in 1991 after 50 years of Soviet occupation, it has opted for the “never alone again policy. For us, the EU and NATO are the strongest guarantors of this. The unity of the EU and the historic decisions it made in response to Putin’s brutal war have shown that we can act when our values are threatened. That makes the union stronger.”
And did Italy play its part?
«The Italian decision to provide military assistance to Ukraine was very important. Italy is also a great ally and has contributed to the EFP the Enhanced Forward Presence, the rotation of allied forces in the Baltics and Poland. Ed. and contributed to the air patrol in the Baltics, and I want to thank you for that ».
How has the war in Ukraine affected you?
“Russia is not only attacking Ukraine, it is aiming for peace and security in Europe. We have already provided humanitarian and military aid worth 200 million euros: no small sum for a country our size. That means being friends and standing up for our values. And then, like all European countries, we take in refugees and do everything we can to make them feel welcome. The Estonian people show enormous solidarity. One of the greatest manifestations of our modern history was made in support of Ukraine ».
What is your relationship with Moscow?
“We know our neighbor and our relationship is a consequence of that. We have not received any military threats, but Estonia is a member of NATO: an attack on us would mean an attack on all other member states ».
Have you reinforced the borders?
“We have been very cautious since Belarus launched a hybrid attack on EU borders last summer and increased migratory pressure on Lithuania, Poland and Latvia. We are aware of the importance of our border as we represent the eastern border of the European Union and we are already strengthening our structures from 2020.
Prime Minister, are we at a turning point in history?
“I hope that if this is truly a turning point in history, it will lead to a better state of affairs. I firmly believe there will be more and more people willing to do the right thing and rebel against the world’s bullies. For that we need to support Ukraine and be on the right side of history».
March 24, 2022 (change March 24, 2022 | 17:58)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED