Kallas at a meeting with Duda: NATO must strengthen defence where it is most needed

According to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Poland is an excellent and committed ally in NATO. "Estonia greatly appreciates the role of Poland in the collective defence of NATO, especially its participation in the Baltic Air Policing," said Kallas. The prime minister added that our bilateral defence cooperation is active and close. "Together with the Polish forces, the Estonian Defence Forces helped to repel the hybrid attack of Belarus at the external border of the European Union. Polish soldiers will take part in the Siil (Hedgehog) exercise of our Defence Forces that will take place soon."

According to Kallas, we understand together with Poland that in the changed security situation, the defence and deterrence posture of NATO urgently needs to be strengthened. "Clear and strong decisions must be taken at the Madrid Summit in June. Considering that Russia has raised the level of aggression in Europe, NATO needs to strengthen defence where it is most needed - especially on the east flank of NATO."

It was also stated at the meeting that we must continue our efforts to stop the war machine of Putin in Ukraine and to isolate Russia politically and militarily. "We still have a lot to do, including, for example, approving the sixth sanctions package of the European Union," Kallas explained.

They also discussed how to support the EU aspirations of Ukraine. It is important to give Ukraine a message of hope with clear conditions and guidelines for joining the European Union.

Prime Minister Kallas also emphasised the crucial role of Poland in providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine. "Poland has done a great deal to help Ukraine and will continue these efforts. The assistance of the European Commission to those countries that have received Ukrainian war refugees is also important," said Kallas. Poland has provided military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and received more than three million war refugees. The recent donors' conference in Warsaw was also a success. In total, more than six billion euros was raised to help Ukraine.

Kallas and Duda discussed ways in which Poland and the Baltic states could help export grain from Ukraine. Ukrainian grain is of global importance and many regions of the world depend on it. In order to prevent global hunger, a solution must be found to export grain from Ukraine.

Prime Minister Kallas called on Poland to join the Baltic Offshore Grid Initiative to build an energy network in the Baltic Sea, to which offshore wind farms could be connected and which would also enable setting up additional transnational electricity connections.

Photos from the meeting: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stenbockimaja/albums/72177720298904623