Washington, D.C. – Prime Minister Kaja Kallas engaged in crucial discussions today with Speaker Mike Johnson and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, emphasizing the imperative of sustained international support for Ukraine. The meetings centered on security matters, highlighting Estonia’s defense cooperation with the United States and their shared commitment to assisting Ukraine.
During her discussions with Speaker Johnson and congressional members, Prime Minister Kallas underscored the pivotal role played by the United States in aiding Ukraine. “While U.S. assistance to Ukraine has been substantial, Estonia and Europe are also actively contributing,” stated Kallas. “Estonia, for instance, provided arms aid to Ukraine even before the onset of full-scale conflict. Our military aid, exceeding 1% of GDP, demonstrates our commitment. Additionally, other European nations, including the European Union, are playing a crucial role in training Ukrainian soldiers, with six million Ukrainian refugees finding asylum in the EU,” she added.
Simultaneously, Prime Minister Kallas acknowledged the evolving security landscape, emphasizing the need for Europe to significantly enhance its defense capabilities. “Estonia is committed to allocating over 3% of GDP to defense next year, and we urge our European allies to similarly increase their defense spending,” Kallas emphasized.
Expressing gratitude to the United States for its military presence and support for the Baltic Security Initiative during congressional meetings, Prime Minister Kallas emphasized the significance of the initiative’s incorporation into U.S. legislation. “The Baltic Security Initiative’s inclusion in U.S. law is a milestone. It has facilitated the strengthening of independent defense capabilities in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania beyond initial plans. We are optimistic that the ongoing support of the U.S. Congress for the Baltic States will persist under the leadership of Speaker Johnson,” she concluded.
