The Chairmen of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu and the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson are in Denmark where the European parliamentarians are shaping the common foreign, security, and defence policy.
Mihkelson, who has just returned from the celebrations of the Independence Day of Ukraine, said that the European countries were playing a more important role in defending democratic societies than ever before. “One of the things that the President of Ukraine confirmed yesterday was that there are currently profound discussions going on between Ukraine, European countries, and the USA about the actual nature of the security guarantees for Ukraine. A lot remains to be decided but progress has been made, and it continues to be crucial that the western countries continue to exert pressure on Russia,” Mihkelson said.
Stoicescu said that Estonia was in favour of raising the defence spending to five percent of the GDP and expected the other European countries to do the same. “The European countries should all make a relatively equal contribution considering their economic performance. This duty is not restricted to the Member States at the border,“ he pointed out.
The Conference will be opened tomorrow by the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament David McAllister and will discuss closer cooperation between the European Union and NATO, promoting democracy in Ukraine, migration from third countries, Europe’s role and responses to events in the Middle East, as well as defence investments, and topics of critical infrastructure, social resilience, energy, and climate.
This includes a meeting of the global network of parliamentarians committed to supporting Ukraine—United for Ukraine, or U4U—today and tomorrow in Kyiv, which gives them the opportunity to witness first-hand the effects of war crimes committed by Russia.
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson highlighted that although Ukraine was celebrating a national holiday today, it still needed the unwavering support of its allies. “We stand next to Ukraine on its day of celebration but also on every other day. The victory in the war and the ensuing peace must come hand in hand with the defence of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. It is crucial to defeat Russia in its war of aggression. That is the only foundation for a just and lasting peace,” he declared.
The Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali emphasised that Ukraine was fighting for the freedom of all the democratic countries. “Ukraine’s freedom is our freedom. We need to take every opportunity to show that the whole Europe is firmly on the side of Ukraine and is hoping for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO,“ he said. “It is impossible to envisage how the security architecture of Europe or NATO could work without Ukraine in the near future.”
Members of the parliaments of Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Parliament are also taking part in the meeting.
In his speech, President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar focused on today’s turbulent foreign policy situation. “You, who have felt the price of freedom through your own personal experience and passed a decision on the end of a totalitarian system, understand most clearly why it is so important today to continue to support Ukraine in every way possible. We know that Russia has not changed in its nature. It still does not accept the right of sovereign nations to decide their own path, be it towards the European Union or NATO,” Hussar said.
Hussar also expressed concern about the growing anxiety in Estonian society. However, he expressed hope that, instead of confrontation, everyone would be ready to think and act together. The President also thanked the members of the August 20 Club for their contribution to public debate.
“Our Constitution does not support populist convulsions or rating-based policymaking. On the contrary, it requires stability, transparency, and legal consistency,” the President of the Riigikogu underlined.
In his welcoming speech, Prime Minister Kristen Michal noted that it is not easy to recognise pivotal moments and decisions of great significance in everyday life. He also thanked the club members for their contribution and personal courage. “Your undoubtedly emotional, yet deeply principled decision to vote for the restoration of the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia placed each of you personally at risk,” said Michal.
According to Michal, the events that took place 34 years ago remind us that law and justice cannot be destroyed. “Drawing on our own experience, we can extend a helping hand to our partners, first and foremost Ukraine, because no one can stand against the will of the people; with the mandate of the people, even a lightweight can overcome a giant. And no other nation or state can or should take upon itself the right to decide the future of a free and independent people,” the Prime Minister stressed.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of the August 20 Club Alar Maarend, in his presentation at the annual meeting, discussed the origins and future development of today’s climate policy. Maarend emphasized that carbon dioxide was not the root cause or sole cause of climate change. “The circulation of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere is a complex process involving all living matter, whether on land, in the sea or in the air. Everything that lives, breathes. Everything that breathes, emits CO2,” Alar Maarend said.
According to Maarend, economic and energy policy should not focus solely on the fight against CO2. “Saying that by making all our economic activities carbon neutral, we can change the climate, is an oversimplified and one-sided approach,” Maarend expressed his concern.
The festive meeting held today in the White Hall of the Riigikogu was presided over by the President of the August 20 Club Ants Veetõusme.
The August 20 Club, founded in 1994, unites the people who were elected to the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia in 1990, and voted for the resolution of the restoration of the independence of Estonia. Today, they work to preserve and uphold the significance of this historic decision.
On the occasion of the holiday, it is also possible to visit the Tall Hermann Tower. The blue, black and white flag flying at the top of the tower symbolises the independence of the Republic of Estonia. Tours to the tower start every full and half hour; the tower will be closed at 6 p.m.
Free tours of the Tall Hermann Tower will take place every full and half hour between 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. The tours will start from the Governor’s Garden. The tours offered on the Fienta ticketing platform are already full. However, on 20 August, a limited number of free tickets will be distributed in the Governor’s Garden on a first-come, first-served basis. The Tall Hermann Tower is a historical building, and therefore group sizes are limited. We recommend to get your tickets as early as possible to secure a place on the tour.
Celebration of the restoration of Estonia’s independence will begin at 11 a.m. with a memorial ceremony at the 20 August Memorial Stone at Toompea. Ants Veetõusme, President of the August 20 Club, will deliver a speech. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar will lay flowers at the memorial stone on behalf of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia). Prime Minister Kristen Michal will also attend the ceremony.
At noon, the August 20 Club will hold its traditional festive meeting in the White Hall of Toompea Castle. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar and Prime Minister Kristen Michal will deliver welcoming addresses. Deputy Chairman of the Board of the August 20 Club Alar Maarend will give a speech.
The August 20 Club, which was founded in 1994, unites the people who were elected to the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia in 1990, and voted for the Resolution to restore the independence of Estonia. 34 years ago, on 20 August 1991 at 11.03 p.m., the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia adopted the Resolution On the National Independence of Estonia, with 69 votes in favour.
The historical towers of Toompea Castle are an integral part of Estonia’s political history. Today, the most important of the towers is the Tall Hermann. The blue, black and white national flag on the top of the tower, at 95 metres above sea level, is one of the main symbols of Estonia’s independence. The Tall Hermann Tower is traditionally open to the public on the Riigikogu Open House Day in April, on the National Flag Day on 4 June and on the Day of Restoration of Independence on 20 August.
President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis underline that any agreement reached at the talks in Alaska this week or thereafter must unequivocally uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitution and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
“It is crucial that Russia does not benefit from its brutal and illegal war of aggression through territorial gains. As the aggressor, Russia must not be appeased, as doing so would only embolden further acts of aggression. The use of force to alter international borders is unacceptable and against international law,” the Speakers write in their Joint Declaration.
The Speakers of Baltic parliaments believe that a diplomatic solution must ensure the security interests of both Ukraine and Europe. “Decisions concerning Ukraine must involve Ukrainians themselves, and matters affecting Europe must involve us Europeans. Negotiations can only be held in context of a ceasefire,” they state.
“We firmly believe that only a strategy combining determined diplomacy, unwavering support for Ukraine and sustained pressure on the Russian Federation to end its illegal war can bring success. Therefore, it is vital for our countries – and the democratic world at large – to continue providing political, economic, military, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, while maintaining and strengthening sanctions against the Russian Federation,” the Joint Declaration says.
The Chairs urge the leaders of the free world to pursue a ceasefire agreement that serves the best interests of freedom-loving people throughout the democratic world. “Any agreement reached at the talks in Alaska on 15 August 2025 or thereafter must firmly uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitution and the principles of the UN Charter. It is of the utmost importance that Russia is not rewarded for its brutal and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine with territorial gains,” they write. They maintain that the future of Ukraine can only be determined by the Ukrainian people themselves, upholding the fundamental principle that ‘nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine’.
The Chairs warn against forgetting that Russia is likely to exploit negotiations as a pretext to avoid an unconditional ceasefire and push for sanctions relief. “We owe it to the cause of liberty and justice — taught by the lessons of Independence Day and the mistakes of history. We must demonstrate unity, resolve and fidelity to universal rights to ensure that the outcome of any negotiations truly serves the cause of freedom, both now and for future generations,” the statement reads.
The joint statement has been signed by the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, and United Kingdom, as well as the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson signed the joint statement on behalf of Estonia.
Kivimägi wishes to tell his colleagues that democratic countries must stand united for democracy, peace, human rights and the rule of law. He will underline that, among other things, unity means setting common European values higher than national and regional interests.
“Russia’s goal has not changed – it wants Ukraine, but not only. Russia wants to change European security structure, interfere in the elections in other countries, in order to divide Europe. Our priority is security and strengthening the position of Ukraine. This calls for an increase in defence spending and greater military support for Ukraine. Europe, including Spain, has to change its way of thinking, has to make hard but necessary choices for the security of Europe,” Kivimägi says. “If European democracies stand together, we are invincible.”
Today, Kivimägi will also have a meeting with Antonijo Miloshoski, the Vice President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia. They will discuss bilateral relations, cooperation in NATO and North Macedonia’s aspirations to join the European Union.
Tomorrow’s debates will focus on innovating for a peaceful future, achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030, the role for parliaments in shaping our digital future, and fight against discrimination. On Thursday, an interactive debate on global governance will be held, and it is also planned to adopt the final declaration of the Conference.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the oldest and largest global organisation of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 and has 181 member states from the entire world. Estonia was a member of the Union between 1921–1940, and restored its membership after regaining its independence in 1991.
The IPU has been organising the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament every five years since 2000.
The assistance was made possible through cooperation between Estonia and Taiwan, and the masks were personally handed over by Kristo Enn Vaga, Member of the Estonian Parliament and Chairman of the Estonia-Taiwan Friendship Group.
Taiwan has previously supported Ukraine in cooperation with Estonia. One year ago, the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Taipei Mission in Latvia signed a €1.1 million partnership agreement to build a family shelter and bomb shelter in the Zhytomyr region, also covering procurement and project management costs.
The donated masks arrived in Estonia following a donation ceremony in Taipei in February this year where Vaga attended as part of an official visit. The masks were donated by Taiwanese companies Motex Healthcare and Taiwan Comfort Champ. This week, the shipment reached Ukraine, where Vaga handed the masks over to the Special Medical Supply Base of the Zhytomyr Regional Council. From there, they will be distributed to local hospitals.
“Estonia has been a critically important partner for Zhytomyr, and these medical masks will help save lives in our hospitals. We are deeply grateful to Kristo Enn Vaga and the people of Taiwan for their support,” said Zhytomyr Regional Governor Vitalii Bunechko.
“All assistance to Ukraine is vital. Medical protective equipment like masks is essential for hospitals and frontline units operating under enormous strain. I’m proud Estonia can serve as a bridge for Taiwan’s solidarity. Democracies stand together and will win together,” Vaga said.
As a token of gratitude for his support to Ukraine, Governor Bunechko presented Kristo Enn Vaga with the highest regional decoration of Zhytomyr. The handover ceremony was also attended by Arsenii Pushkarenko, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Chairman of the Ukraine-Estonia Friendship Group.
