The Estonian prime minister, Kristen Michal, reiterated this Wednesday that Ukraine "must be strong" both in diplomatic talks and on the military ground, after holding a telephone conversation with the Ukrainian head of Government, Sergi Koretski. The call comes one day after the contact by the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and the prime minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store, with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
"Ukraine must show itself strong, both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. Estonia will maintain its military, financial and practical support, while at the same time pressing for greater pressure to be exerted on Russia," Michal noted after his conversation with Koretski, emphasizing Tallinn's commitment to Kiev.
The leader stressed that for Russia "aggression must not pay off" and denounced that "Russia is trying to achieve through terror what it cannot achieve on the battlefield. We will help Ukraine get through another difficult winter". With these words, he wanted to underline that Estonian backing will also be maintained during the coming months.
In this context, Michal announced that Tallinn will convene next January the allies of Ukraine in an international conference focused on the reconstruction of the country, with the aim of mobilizing "aid and investments" to deal with the damage caused by the Russian invasion.
Meanwhile, the prime ministers of Denmark and Sweden, Mette Frederiksen and Ulf Kristersson, criticized this Tuesday the call by the leaders of Finland and Norway with Putin to address the war in Ukraine, warning of the risk of a possible internal division in the EU. For its part, the European Commission clarified this Wednesday that it was informed of the conversation and that Helsinki and Oslo had previously coordinated the contact with Brussels.