President of the Riigikogu in Italy: response to Russia’s desperate attacks must be even stronger pressure

President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar is on a two-day visit to Italy. His message at meetings in the Italian parliament was that we needed to counter Russia’s increasingly desperate activities with even stronger support to Ukraine and more forceful pressure on Russia.

“Russia will remain a threat to Estonia and Europe for a long time to come, which is why Estonia and Italy must cooperate closely with other NATO allies and EU Member States in enhancing defence,” Hussar said at meetings in the Italian Chamber of Deputies and Senate.

“Recently, we have seen Russia’s aggression turn increasingly desperate, with ever more brutal attacks against civilians and civil infrastructure. Our response to this must be an even stronger support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia,” Hussar stressed.

The main topics at the meetings in the Italian parliament were support to Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia for the aggression, as well as European security, strengthening European defence industry, transatlantic relations, and European Union enlargement.

The President of the Riigikogu and the members of the delegation – the Chairman of the Estonia-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group Heljo Pikhof and member Luisa Värk – met with the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Maurizio Gasparri, Chair of the Chamber Commission for Simplification Francesco Saverio Romano, and Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Giulio Tremonti. Other members of the Italian parliament also attended the meetings.

The delegation also took part in a panel discussion with think tanks, members of the press, and students, and the President of the Riigikogu delivered a speech in the NATO Defense College.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
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