According to Mihkelson, the global security situation is turbulent, and the primary geopolitical challenge is Russia\u2019s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine. \u201cIt has been our understanding for a long time, and it still is today, that the war initiated by Russia is much more than just a regional conflict. The issue is not Crimea, Donbas, or some other region of Ukraine, but Russia\u2019s wish to change the world order. Therefore, this war cannot end through ordinary negotiations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Mihkelson, Russia has no desire to end military activities, and even the efforts of the United States have not stopped Russia for a single day. “Now is the decisive moment when the pressure on Russia must be increased \u2013 negotiations will only be on the table if Russia is pressured into this,” he said. \u201cWe know what it means to lose independence. And we also know that not every kind of peace is just or lasting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking of the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara at the beginning of July, Mihkelson said that it was important for Estonia to achieve the best possible results at the summit through a strong and united message. \u201cIt is crucial that the summit demonstrated very strong unity among the Allies: that Article 5 is firm and no one can divide us. It is also important how quickly the defence spending of the Allies reaches the desired level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mihkelson thanked T\u00fcrkiye for strengthening collective defence and for participating in the Baltic air policing mission. Issues of defence cooperation between Estonia and T\u00fcrkiye, including the state of defence procurements and collaboration between defence industry companies, were also addressed at the meeting. The discussions also covered parliamentary cooperation, the development of trade, cultural relations and tourism, the situation in the Middle East, and developments in Armenia.<\/p>\n