Estonia urges European allies to boost Ukraine support amid US uncertainty

European leaders must increase defense spending to maintain credibility with potential future US president Donald Trump, Estonia's prime minister told Bloomberg in Budapest.

Nov 7, 2024 - 04:00

Estonia urges European allies to boost Ukraine support amid US uncertainty

Estonias-Prime-Minister

Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the outcome of the Russian war in Ukraine will have lasting implications for European values and security, reports Bloomberg.

“The European value-based and rule-based system will also somewhat be decided in the conflict,” Michal said during an interview at Estonia’s embassy in Budapest.

The 49-year-old leader warned that allowing Russia to alter Ukraine’s borders forcibly would undermine European principles.

His comments come as European leaders gather in Budapest to assess the implications of the US election and potential shifts in Ukraine policy under a possible second Trump presidency.

Trump’s campaign promises to end the war swiftly, and his ambiguous stance on Ukraine support have raised concerns. During Zelenskyy’s September US visit, Trump highlighted his relationship with Putin, saying, “We have a very good relationship and I also, as you know, have a very good relationship with President Putin.”

Michal suggested that Trump’s pressure on European defense spending could yield positive results. “Last time Trump was around, he told Europe to get a grip and invest more in defense and so we did,” he noted, adding that “Europe will step up.”

Estonia, along with Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania, has consistently advocated for increased military aid to Kyiv and stronger sanctions against Russia since the invasion began over two years ago.

The Estonian Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur, called in late October for the Western allies to increase military aid to Ukraine for its victory. He added that his country has always believed that NATO membership is Ukraine’s best and only real security guarantee.

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