The head of state stressed that Europe finds itself at a tipping point the likes of which it has not seen since the Cold War. “The fact that Russia considers Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joining NATO a mistake is utterly absurd,” he said. “It was the democratic choice of the free and independent Baltic States to join the alliance. NATO underpins, and will continue to underpin, the security of Estonia and of Europe as a whole.”
President Karis remarked that the recent meeting between NATO and Russia demonstrated very clearly that a wedge had not been driven between the member states of the alliance. “Everyone in NATO is for the continuation of the alliance’s open-doors policy and is on the same page regarding the need to reinforce its defence and deterrence positions,” he stated. “Military exercises and the deployment of units form part of that.”
The Estonian head of state described it as regrettable that there has been no let-up in Russia’s escalation of its military presence on the Ukrainian border. “We call on Russia to cease its actions, to engage in meaningful dialogue and to increase transparency,” President Karis said. He expressed unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Karis expressed his thanks to the NATO Secretary General for the resolve and resoluteness with which he has led discussions among allies to achieve consensus.
During their meeting, President Karis and Secretary General Stoltenberg also discussed the presence of NATO units in Estonia – an inseparable part of the alliance’s strong defence and deterrence position in the Baltic region. The head of state stressed that Estonia is playing its part in shoring up NATO security.
Preparations for the NATO summit in Madrid were also discussed.
