“It is very important that Russia loses this war”: Estonia’s head of government warns of further wars

In view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas warns against making concessions to Russia. “If we take a step back, we are weak. A dictator only understands strength,” she told the Tagesspiegel. Russia should not be brought back to the negotiating table “until Ukraine is free”. Even if Moscow and Kyiv agree on a peace treaty, it is clear that the Ukrainians will not do so voluntarily.

Kallas recalled that in 2014 Russian troops had already taken Crimea and intervened in eastern Ukraine. Then it was said that these areas were gone. “We should avoid something like that. Because this has encouraged Russia to take the next steps,” stressed the Prime Minister of Estonia. “Therefore it is very important that Russia loses this war. Otherwise, more wars will follow.”

There is no quick way to end this war, Kallas said. The prime minister assumes that resistance in Ukraine will continue even if Russia takes over the big cities. “My generals tell me that it is comparatively easy to conquer the cities, but much more difficult to keep them under control.” At the same time, she called on the Europeans to support the Ukrainian resistance in the long term. (Tsp)