Hamburg, 21 February 2024 – Prime Minister Kaja Kallas met with her German counterpart, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in Hamburg on Tuesday to discuss increasing EU support for Ukraine and using frozen Russian assets for the rebuilding of Ukraine.
The Estonian head of government thanked Chancellor Scholz for his leading role in supporting Ukraine. “An increase in assistance from Germany will encourage other countries to contribute more to Ukraine’s victory as well,” she remarked. “But in addition to bilateral aid packages, EU assistance in general must be increased, first and foremost via the European Peace Facility.”
Prime Minister Kallas stressed the need for greater investment in the development of the European defence industry. “We have to reinforce our defence capabilities while sending even more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine,” she urged. “Time is of the essence, which is why we must be decisive in this regard.”
During the meeting, the Estonian head of government also raised the issue of using the assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation for the rebuilding of Ukraine. “It is only fair and right that Russia compensate both the Ukrainian people and their state for the damage it has caused in the war,” she said.
While in Hamburg, Prime Minister Kallas also spoke as guest of honour at the annual Matthiae-Mahl banquet, which has been held since 1356. Other speakers in recent years have included Jean-Claude Juncker, Justin Trudeau, David Cameron, Helle Thoring-Schmidt and, in 1994, Estonian president Lennart Meri.
