In his speech at the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments in Ljubljana, Slovenia, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas underlined the importance of granting a European Union perspective to Ukraine and the significance of being persistent when imposing sanctions on Russia and helping Ukraine.

The President of the Riigikogu noted that the EU had been quick and efficient in its response to Russia’s aggression. “Ukraine has received defence, humanitarian and economic aid. The packages of sanctions that have been adopted are impressive as well as extensive. The political exclusion of Russia from international associations and organisations is progressing,” Ratas said. “The preparation of further economic sanctions is continuing because it is our task to make the cost of military activities as high as possible for the aggressor. War crimes must not go unpunished. The Kremlin will have to retreat,” the President of the Riigikogu emphasised. He also pointed out that it seemed to be the right moment to step up the defence expenditures of all EU countries.

“In doing all this, we should not get tired or leave things as they are, even though the sanctions against Russia have an effect on us as well,” Ratas said. He admitted that receiving war refugees was a serious challenge for countries. He noted that the impacts of managing the crisis would become evident over time. He pointed out that supporting the restoration of Ukraine after the war would also be an important task for the future. “Keeping all this in mind, we must be persistent and strategically patient,” Ratas added.

The President of the Riigikogu made a proposal to his EU counterparts to hold an online meeting in autumn in order to make a brief interim summary of the progress in supporting Ukraine and of what more could be done to perpetuate freedom, democracy and the rule of law in our direct neighbourhood.

In Ljubljana, Ratas had bilateral meetings with President of the Storting (Parliament) of Norway Masud Gharahkhani, Speaker of the Althingi (Parliament) of Iceland Birgir Ármannsson, President of the Bundestag of Germany Bärbel Bas, Speaker of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Nikola Minchev, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and Vice-Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania Vasile-Daniel Suciu. He also participated in the meeting of the Speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States and Poland and the meeting of the Speakers of the parliaments of the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States.

The visit of the President of the Riigikogu will continue in Prague, Czech Republic, where he will meet with the Speakers of the parliaments of Latvia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone: +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
E-mail: [email protected]
Questions: [email protected]