The participants agreed that it is necessary to help Ukraine gain a stronger position. Also that the coalition of the willing is ready to defend a possible peace deal and to maintain and increase international pressure on Russia.
According to Kristen Michal, the ceasefire proposal must not give Russia breathing space to rebuild its military, nor cause a pause in military support for Ukraine.
Michal emphasised that Ukraine is committed to a lasting peace by accepting an unconditional ceasefire. It is necessary to move forward swiftly to strengthen the position of Ukraine and continue to increase the price of the aggression for Russia in order to put pressure on Russia to seriously consider a peace process. “The need for urgent action has not disappeared. Moscow’s messages show that Russia has not changed its goals. We must guarantee more military assistance to Ukraine and training for members of the Ukrainian defence forces, strengthen sanctions and move forward with the use of Russia’s frozen assets.”
Estonia increased its military aid to Ukraine by 25% this year, on top of the 0.25% of GDP already decided earlier. On the anniversary of the start of the full-scale war in Kyiv, the Baltic and Nordic countries announced their intention to equip and train a brigade-sized unit in Ukraine by 2025.
In addition to European leaders, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte, European Council President Antonio Costa and President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen participated in the video meeting.
