NordenBladet —
At the meeting, Hussar gave an overview of the violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russia and thanked his colleagues for their support and solidarity. He highlighted the need to further enhance cooperation between countries and to discuss with the governments the possible changes that would allow NATO countries to enter the airspace of other allies if necessary in response to airspace violations.
In the wake of Russia’s violation of Estonia’s airspace on Friday, which followed attacks against Poland and Romania, Estonia launched NATO Article 4 consultations and, for the first time in its 34 years of membership, initiated an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. After Russia’s drone attack in Poland, NATO launched the Eastern Sentry vigilance measure, under which allies are strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence posture with additional air defence elements in Estonia and across the eastern flank.
According to Hussar, one of the aims of Russia’s increasingly frequent provocations is to weaken Western unity and support for Ukraine and to test the response of NATO and its member states. “Our words and actions must clearly show Russia that we are doing both: strengthening our deterrence and defence, including air defence, as well as continuing to strongly support Ukraine,” he said.
Hussar emphasized that in addition to supporting Ukraine, the price of aggression for Russia must also be raised. “We must jointly exert maximum pressure on Russia. To do this, we must proceed quickly with the increasing of sanctions and taking into use of Russia’s assets frozen under sanctions,” he said.
At the meeting, the Speakers agreed it was important to expand cooperation between the parliaments of the Baltic Sea countries, including by intensifying consultations between the heads of parliamentary committees.
The meeting convened by Hussar was attended by the Speakers of the parliaments of eight countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Hussar at the meeting of Speakers: we must strengthen defence as well as pressure on Russia
Source: Parliament of Estonia