Estonia urges Europe to strengthen defense against Russia

Estonia's top diplomat, Jonatan Vseviov, has expressed serious concerns about the ongoing war in Ukraine. In an interview, he emphasized that for countries in Europe, particularly those near Russia, the situation is "existential." He noted that while the European Union hopes for U.S. support, they are preparing to defend themselves if needed. Vseviov called on India to uphold its commitment to international law and the United Nations Charter in relation to the war. He stated that Russia's aggression is significant for global security and that the war raises important issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Despite ongoing European diplomatic efforts, India has maintained its stance on Russia since the conflict began. Vseviov acknowledged this as a diplomatic challenge, highlighting that the continued war points to a collective failure to deter Russian aggression. Ukrainians are suffering the most from the prolonged conflict. Looking ahead, Vseviov mentioned that if the U.S. reduces its involvement, Europe must step up its support for Ukraine. He indicated that there have been regular meetings among European nations to develop security guarantees for Ukraine for the future. On the topic of trade, Vseviov expressed optimism about a potential India-Estonia trade agreement. He highlighted opportunities in high-tech cooperation and education, suggesting that both countries could benefit from better understanding each other's backgrounds and potential.