Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsakhkna.Photo: X / Estonian MFA.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tähkna expressed optimism about Donald Trump’s potential as the new US president. He said that Trump could become “the Churchill of our time” if he can achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine. In an interview with The Telegraph, Tsakhkna stressed the importance of providing clear security guarantees for Ukraine if Trump wants to end the conflict.
“President Trump has a chance to become the Churchill of our time, because the question of global rules of war and peace is before all of us,” Tsakhkna said. According to him, if Putin is able to continue to change borders by force and act without punishment, this will seriously threaten the whole of Europe and global security.
Tsahkna also clarified that Estonia’s position is that Ukraine should be granted “full NATO membership” or equivalent security guarantees. He stressed that this is the only effective way to ensure a stable peace in Europe.
Trump’s stated promises and risks
US President-elect Donald Trump has already stated that he wants to end the war in Ukraine quickly, but has not yet provided specific details of his steps. At the same time, some of his future advisers and Vice President J.D. Vance oppose Ukraine’s membership in NATO, considering alternative forms of security guarantees, such as a European peacekeeping force or the creation of buffer zones.
Estonia, which shares a border with Russia, has been one of the most staunch supporters of Ukraine in Europe. It has allocated the largest share of GDP among countries in the world to support Ukraine, and was one of the first countries to provide military assistance to Kyiv before Russia’s full-scale invasion. This support is partly due to Estonia’s historical experience of two Soviet occupations in the mid-20th century.
A warning from Estonia: Avoid the mistakes of the past
Tsakhkna also expressed concern about possible mistakes that the West might make in seeking a ceasefire. He warned that appeasement of the aggressor, as was done at the Munich Conference in 1938, would not bring peace, but would only encourage new aggressions. “We cannot fall into the same trap as in 2015 with the Minsk agreements, which did not stop Putin,” the minister stressed.
Military assistance to Ukraine: Providing weapons instead of peacekeepers
Tsakhkna stressed that the best way to achieve peace is not to send peacekeeping forces, but to provide Ukraine with the necessary military assistance. “Ukrainians are not asking for peacekeepers on the ground. They are asking for weapons and support. This is what we should focus on,” he said.
The minister also expressed concern over the pressure on President Zelensky to lower the conscription age in Ukraine. “It is a cruel thing to force Ukraine to mobilise young people when they still lack weapons and ammunition to defend their land,” Tsakhkna added.
Estonia is ready for possible threats from Russia
Tsakhkna also expressed concern that if Putin wins in Ukraine, Russia’s next target could be the Baltic states, particularly Estonia. He assured that the country is ready for any challenges. “We are not alone if they turn against Estonia. We are part of NATO, and we are ready for any threats,” the minister said.
Ending the war and NATO’s role
Estonia continues to support Ukraine’s full membership in NATO as the most effective way to peace and security. “This is the fastest and cheapest way to ensure peace,” concluded Mr Tskahkna, stressing the importance of full support for Ukraine for stability in Europe and the world.
