Russia's provocations aim to shift EU focus from Ukraine, says Estonian PM
Photo: Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Estonia (Getty Images)
Russia is using provocations, including violations of NATO airspace, to divert Europe’s attention from supporting Ukraine, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said, France24 reports.
Michal expressed hope that the informal EU summit in Copenhagen would send a strong signal of "unity and resolve to back up Ukraine and never to let us be distracted on the main topic, which is the problem with Russia."
He urged EU counterparts to back a new European Commission proposal to use frozen Russian assets to finance a €140 billion loan for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister said that the Russians "are the aggressors, they are killing innocent people, civilians. They are doing the damage, so they should be the ones to pay".
Michal noted that Putin’s aggression had turned out to be a "miscalculation," as it pushed Europe to significantly strengthen its defense in the face of looming threats.
"Europe is much stronger than it was six months or one year ago. Europe was a project of peace, but without arms. Now, Europe will be a project of peace but with arms," he said.
Russian aircraft and drones in NATO airspace
In September, Russian attack drones violated the airspace of several NATO countries, including Poland and Romania.
In addition, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets intruded into Estonian airspace, flying close to Tallinn.
