In the past weeks and months, NATO has proven its value in this regard. Allies have remained strong, and united.
NATO stands between us, and a world where stronger nations decide the fate of the smaller ones behind their backs. This was the world of secret protocols and spheres of influence, robbing scores of European nations of their sovereignty, their very right to exist.
Nobody wants it back.
I was particularly pleased to meet today with Secretary General Stoltenberg.
We exchanged views on the tensions created by Russia. I want to underline that military escalation on Ukraine's border has not ceased. We call on Russia to deescalate, to engage in meaningful dialogue and increase transparency.
We emphasised our strong support to Ukraine, not just in words, but in actions.
NATO will defend its values – democracy, freedom, and every nation’s right to choose its own security arrangements. This is why the Baltic states decided to join NATO in 2004. And we saw it was the best guarantee to our security. It was the only decision.
And then as now all NATO Allies strongly agree that there will be no ‘special zones’ in NATO where Allied military activities and presence are limited. The readiness that Moscow demonstrates to use military force underlines the importance of NATO’s military presence in the Baltic states. NATO will fight for every square centimetre of the trans-Atlantic area.
And of course, we will do our own homework. Estonia will continue to make its contribution to NATO.
We also discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Madrid in June. NATO’s next Strategic concept will strengthen our collective defence. It will adapt NATO and will ensure it keeps up with the pace with the change, including emerging and disruptive technologies or cyber policy. Estonia is ready to be at the forefront of those discussions.
