Estonian FM calls on NATO to strengthen commitment to Ukraine

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has called on NATO to make a real commitment to support Ukraine.

Ahead of a NATO ministerial meeting in Sweden on May 22, he said what matters is not only political statements, but a “real commitment” in support of Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Estonia has been promoting for several years the idea of fixed annual contributions from allies for military aid to Ukraine at the level of 0.25% of GDP.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has brought forward for discussion the proposal.

“I am very pleased that Secretary General Rutte has brought this forward for discussion, as Estonia, which proposed this idea several years ago, has made a long-term commitment by allies to provide military support to Ukraine at the level of 0.25 per cent of GDP,” he noted.

He also emphasised that Russia will remain a long-term threat to NATO, adding that, in his view, its objectives are unlikely to change in the near future.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov