During a visit to Ukraine on Monday (24 April), Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas backed Kyiv’s demands for membership in the NATO military alliance “as soon as conditions allow.”
In the northwest city of Zhytomyr, Kallas met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and issued a joint statement denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We agree that a strong, independent, and prosperous Ukraine, as part of the Euro-Atlantic family and as a member of the EU and NATO, is essential for the future of European security,” the joint statement read.
“We agree to work together to establish a path that will help bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership and pave the way for Ukraine to join NATO as soon as conditions allow,” reads a statement from the NATO Vilnius Summit.
Zelenskyy hailed Estonia for its defense assistance, but he also reaffirmed demands that Western partners quickly send more weaponry “so that we can speed up the end of this war.”
Later in his nightly video address, he stressed that the promptness and effectiveness of decisions about weapons and ammunition were crucial for the survival of humankind. He continued, “I appreciate Estonia’s effort to facilitate pertinent contact with other partners.
“In the context of the NATO Vilnius Summit (in July), we agree to work together to establish a path that will help bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership and pave the way for Ukraine to join NATO as soon as conditions allow.”
Zelenskyy thanked Estonia for its defense assistance, but he also reaffirmed demands that Western partners quickly send more weaponry “so that we can speed up the end of this war.”
Later in his nightly video address, he stressed that the promptness and effectiveness of decisions about weapons and ammunition were crucial for the survival. He continued, “I appreciate Estonia’s effort to facilitate pertinent contact with other partners.
After being re-elected as prime minister following the elections on March 4th, this was Kallas first trip abroad.
