Ratas: Imposing sanctions on Russia must continue until Ukraine’s victory

At their meeting today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed strengthening of cooperation and further supporting of Ukraine. Ratas said that imposing sanctions on Russia had to continue until Ukraine has won the war.

Ratas underlined at the meeting that although Estonia and Greece were far apart, relations between the two countries were good. “We share similar values not only in the European Union, but also in NATO,” he said. At the meeting, Ratas and Mitsotakis confirmed their common desire to develop the cooperation between the two countries, especially in the digital and cyber spheres. They also considered it important to strengthen the relations between the Estonian and Greek parliaments.

Ratas and Mitsotakis discussed the changed security situation caused by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the need to urgently implement the decisions of the NATO Madrid Summit and strengthen NATO’s Eastern flank. Ratas also emphasised the importance of Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO in strengthening the defence capabilities of Europe.

Ratas pointed out it was crucial to continue supporting Ukraine in every way possible and at the same time to increase political and economic pressure on Russia to further raise the cost of aggression. “It is important to maintain the unity of the European Union and to go ahead with sanctions against Russia until Ukraine has won the war and Russia has lost it,” he said, expressing gratitude that Greece has supported all sanctions so far.

The relations between Greece and Turkey as well as issues relating to energy security were also spoken about at the meeting.

Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia