Estonia urges allies to boost military aid to Ukraine and consider NATO membership
The Estonian Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur, called the Western allies to increase military aid to Ukraine for its…
The Estonian Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur, called the Western allies to increase military aid to Ukraine for its victory during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Ukrinform has reported.
This year, Estonia has pledged to provide military support to Ukraine worth at least 0.25% of its GDP. According to Pevkur, this number is the minimum part outlined in the “Ukraine victory strategy.”
If each country allocated that number, it would bring $120 billion to Ukraine annually. However, the Estonian Minister of Defense noted that partners are not currently providing even half of that amount.
“We can say that we are helping Ukraine not just to conduct this war but to win this war,” said the Estonian defense minister.
The official also announced that Sweden is working on joining the IT coalition supporting Ukraine, which is led by Estonia and Luxembourg.
“It is crucial that more countries are joining us,” Pevkur said.
The coalition is currently expecting the NATO headquarters, specifically the procurement agency, to expedite the necessary processes.
Speaking about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Victory Plan, the Estonian defense minister noted that it includes points that Estonia has long been advocating.
“The main focus is that Ukraine will, of course, win this war,” Pevkur emphasized, expressing hope that the plan will not remain just on paper.
The Estonian official added that his country has always believed that NATO membership is Ukraine’s best and only real security guarantee.
On 17 October, the defense ministers of the North Atlantic Alliance met in Brussels. One of the main topics was the support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian occupiers.
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