Ukraine has already received €50 billion in military aid. While this is significant, it remains insufficient.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur made this statement ahead of the Rammstein format meeting in Brussels, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.
“It is good to see that 10 countries are already investing at least 0.25% of their GDP to Ukrainian defense… Last year, we agreed in Washington to help Ukraine with €40 billion. It was achieved, even more so, €50 billion was given to Ukraine as military aid. It’s good but we also know that it’s not enough,” Pevkur emphasized.
According to Pevkur, Estonia will allocate at least 0.25% of its GDP to aid Ukraine this year. He noted that if all nations followed this benchmark, total support would exceed €100 billion.
“When we want to have more capabilities, when we want to deter Russia, then we need to invest more also into these capabilities… It’s not only about defensive capabilities. It’s not only about the air defense. It’s also offensive capabilities because this is the only way how we can deter Russia,” he stressed.
The Estonian minister argued that if negotiations take place, Ukraine must sit at the table from a position of strength — something that partners must ensure.
“To give Ukrainians the chance to go to the negotiation table, they need to have strong hands. So this is why, first, I would like to hear and I would like to talk about the military aid, about what we will do,” Pevkur added.
As reported by Ukrinform, Brussels is hosting the 26th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, known as the Rammstein format. For the first time, UK Defense Secretary John Healey is presiding over the session.
Source: Rammstein meeting: Estonia calls for increased military aid to Ukraine
