“The leaks from the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines last week were a clear escalation,” he said. “Moscow’s efforts in recent decades to render Europe critically vulnerable through energy dependency are now showing their ugliest side. This means the state must do everything within its power to ensure energy security for the winter ahead.”
The head of state said he wanted everyone in Estonia to know that it was Russia that was behind the high energy prices over the last year. Speaking at the press conference following the meeting, he stated that Moscow’s aim was to drive Estonia and the rest of Europe into a corner, to abandon their principles and their support for Ukraine. “But we will not give in to blackmail,” he said.
President Karis remarked that in light of Russia’s behaviour, the state must be prepared for a range of risk scenarios. “We will cope,” he affirmed. “But we need to bear in mind that even with the best-laid plans it is important to be ready for extraordinary events, whether they be winter blizzards, spring floods or power outages.”
The head of state stressed that guaranteeing the supply of gas was one of the most important tasks for the government at present, adding that the state would do everything it could to ensure that problems do not arise. “The National Defence Council looked at the bigger picture of risk scenarios and measures to ensure that every home in Estonia enjoys light and warmth this winter,” he said. “The cost of powering and heating our homes in the months ahead is not the only issue right now: other risks must also be considered. Here I am thinking specifically of potential power outages and of the supply of gas during the heating period.”
Addressing the nation, President Karis asked two things of everyone in the country. “Firstly, turn more of your attention to yourselves and your families, your ability to cope, your company’s ability to cope in the event of a power outage,” he began. “And secondly, save on energy whenever and wherever you can. Think calmly and logically about the consequences of a power outage and alternative solutions. The state is primed to help those who need it in such circumstances, but we should all do what we can to ensure that number is as small as possible. The state must also lead by example, and in fact quite a number of state agencies have already switched to energy-saving regimes. I therefore implore each and every one of us to look at how we live our lives, think about what we could do differently and make use of smart solutions.”
The National Defence Council also debated the action Estonia needs to take in cooperation with its NATO allies to implement the decisions made at the Madrid summit. “Our discussions focussed on what presence the alliance should have on its eastern flank and here in Estonia in partnership with the United Kingdom,” President Karis explained. “We want the additional units that were deployed here in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine to remain here longer-term, since it has to be said the security situation has not improved. Work and negotiations in that regard are continuing with both the United Kingdom and other allies.”
