EU's future hinges on Ukraine aid in coming months - Estonian PM
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Photo: president.gov.ua)
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated in an interview with Bloomberg that the future of the European Union will be shaped by its support for Ukraine in the coming months. Europe must do more to defend Kyiv and itself in the wake of Donald Trump's election victory.
Michal urged her EU partners to increase defense spending to counter the Kremlin's threat and demonstrate to Donald Trump that Europe takes security seriously.
"The European value-based and rule-based system will also somewhat be decided in the conflict," Michal stated in Budapest.
Estonian Prime Minister is in the Hungarian capital ahead of meetings set to begin on November 7, where European leaders will discuss the results of the US election and aim to formulate an initial response to the prospect of Trump's second term.
Trump's presidency and implications for Ukraine
A major concern for European leaders is the future of Ukraine. During his US campaign, Trump promised to end the war quickly but has been ambiguous about his support for Ukraine.
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the US in September, Trump initially declined to meet with him and later praised his relationship with Vladimir Putin in a New York conversation.
"We have a very good relationship, and as you know, I have a very good relationship with President Putin," Trump said when speaking to journalists. "If we win, I think we'll resolve this issue very quickly."
President Zelenskyy reported an "excellent" phone call with Trump, adding that both agreed to maintain close dialogue, as announced on November 6.
The incoming US president has also criticized the level of American military support for Ukraine and repeatedly criticized NATO allies, claiming they are not paying their fair share for defense. At a rally in February, Trump stated he would not fulfill his defense commitments to member states that failed to meet NATO's spending targets.
In Kyiv and among Ukraine's allies, there is concern that the next US president may push Ukrainians to agree to a deal with Putin that would involve significant concessions. There are broader fears, too, that without explicit long-term guarantees for Ukraine's future, Russia could exploit any pause in fighting to rebuild its forces and prepare for renewed aggression.
Defense spending
Since Russia's full-scale invasion over two and a half years ago, Estonia and its Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania have been among Ukraine's staunchest supporters. These nations have urged their NATO allies to increase military aid to Kyiv and implement tougher sanctions against the Kremlin.
According to Michal, renewed US pressure to boost defense investment could prove beneficial. Estonia already ranks second among NATO member states in defense spending as a percentage of GDP.
"Last time Trump was around, he told Europe to get a grip and invest more in defense and so we did," Michal said.
Earlier, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called on the European Union to increase defense spending to effectively counter the threats posed by Russia.
