Estonian PM urges united EU stand on Ukraine as US election sparks uncertainty

Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal has stressed that continued support for Ukraine in the coming months will be pivotal in shaping the future of the European Union, urging fellow leaders to enhance measures to protect both Kyiv and their own nations.

In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Michal stated that allowing Russia to alter Ukraine’s borders through force would undermine core European principles, Caliber.Az reports.

He called on EU member states to increase their defence budgets to counter the Kremlin’s threats and to show former US President Donald Trump that Europe is serious about its security.

“The European value-based and rule-based system will also, to some extent, be determined by this conflict,” said Michal, 49, speaking at the Estonian embassy in Budapest. “This will leave a mark on Europe.”

Michal is in the Hungarian capital for meetings commencing on November 7, where European leaders will discuss the outcome of the US election and shape their initial response to a possible second term for Trump. A primary focus for these talks will be the future of Ukraine, with Trump’s ambiguous stance on the conflict raising concerns.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to swiftly end the war with Russia but offered little clarity on his position regarding Ukraine. When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the US in September, Trump initially declined a meeting, later highlighting his relationship with Vladimir Putin during an awkward interaction in New York.

“We have a very good relationship and I also, as you know, have a very good relationship with President Putin,” Trump told reporters, adding, “If we win, I think we’re going to get it resolved very quickly.”

Zelenskyy described a phone conversation with Trump as “excellent,” noting that they agreed to maintain close dialogue, according to a post on X page on November 6.

Trump has been critical of the scale of US military aid to Ukraine and has frequently accused NATO allies of failing to meet their defence spending obligations. In February, he stated at a campaign rally that he would not honour defence commitments to NATO members who did not meet the alliance’s spending targets.

Ukraine and its supporters are worried that a future Trump administration might pressure Kyiv into accepting a peace deal involving significant concessions to Russia. More broadly, there is concern that without firm, long-term guarantees for Ukraine’s security, Russia could exploit any pause in hostilities to rebuild its military and prepare for renewed aggression.

Estonia and its Baltic neighbours, Latvia and Lithuania, have been vocal advocates for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began over two and a half years ago. They have urged Western NATO allies to increase military assistance to Kyiv and impose tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Michal indicated that increased US pressure to bolster security spending could be beneficial. Estonia already ranks as the second-largest defence spender as a percentage of GDP among NATO members.

“Last time Trump was in office, he told Europe to step up its defence investment, and we did,” Michal said. “Europe will step up again.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev