Estonian Prime Minister talks about traps in Russia's war against Ukraine
Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas (photo: wikimedia.org)
The Russian Federation is preparing for a protracted war of aggression against Ukraine, and the aggression will continue until the Kremlin realizes its inability to achieve victory, according to an interview with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
Estonia's Prime Minister, in response to a journalist's question about whether the current year will be decisive for Ukraine's fate, noted that the war continues. In this context, she spoke about certain traps that, if not handled carefully, could play into Moscow's hands.
"We must not fall into various traps set there. It is mistaken to think that the war can be won quickly. Russia is preparing for a protracted war. This will continue until Russia realizes that it cannot win," Kallas said.
Furthermore, the Estonian Prime Minister mentioned another trap: the belief that peace can be negotiated.
"If we agree to the land grab, Russia's needs will be met. It's not true that suddenly everything will become peaceful," she noted.
Kallas explained that there is also a fear trap.
"Russia plays on this. The fourth stumbling block lies with us if we say that our actions will provoke Russians even more. It's quite the opposite. Weakness provokes Russia, not strength," she said.
Kallas also emphasized the importance of Ukraine having a sufficient supply of ammunition for further combat against the aggressors.
"The decisive issue in war is whether you have enough ammunition. That's why we decided to supply a million artillery shells. The 'Ramstein' coalition has a budget thirteen times larger than Russia's. We are stronger, but we must help Ukraine defend itself, and give them what they need. And we must believe in Ukraine's victory, not in the narrative that Russia will still win," said the Estonian Prime Minister.
Kallas added that Russia wants allies to believe that Ukraine cannot win, which supposedly would encourage partners to cease support. In such a scenario, the consequences would be very dangerous for the global world.
"We would find ourselves in a world where might, not law, determines things. This is very dangerous. Then the aggressor awakens other aggressors. Then we will see the same in other regions, in other parts of the world," she concluded.
Million shells for Ukraine
In March of last year, the European Union countries agreed to supply Ukraine with a million shells. Initially, the delivery was planned to be completed by the end of 2023, and then by March 2024. However, the transfer within the specified timeframe did not take place because of insufficient production capacities.
As previously noted by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, if Kyiv does not receive the necessary quantity of artillery ammunition from one source, it will work to ensure supply from other sources.
It should be added that earlier, Estonian Defense Minister Kalle Laanet stated that the promised delivery of a million shells is delayed until the end of 2024.
