Dear Kristen,

Thank you for welcoming me here to the Ämari Air Base. I have been here seven or eight years ago. I remember it was during the first Russian invasion in Crimea. We had just started the principle of air defence here in Estonia, together with other allies. For me, it is impressive to see how much infrastructure has been added since then. So Ämari plays a key role in Europes rapidly evolving defence infrastructure. Congratulations for what you have built up here.

Dear Kristen,

The risks that Estonia has long warned us about, what Russia is concerned, have now materialised. We see Russias brutal war against Ukraine. It is very obvious, and it is your daily experience, that Putin will not stop. This is why it is so crucial and paramount that we are consistent in our ironclad support to Ukraine and that we care for our own defence posture. So we will keep providing vital political, economic and military support to our brave neighbour. We are tightening sanctions against Russia, specifically on the shadow fleet. We had an intense discussion about the shadow fleet. We have seen that we have to work on further options, building on the experience that you have here, in Estonia and in Finland, concerning the shadow fleet. So we want to draw on your experience as well as tighten and sharpen the sanctions against the shadow fleet. We are also advancing work on the use of Russias frozen assets, because it is clear that the predator has to pay for what he did.

At the same time, we are observing that Russia and its proxies are testing our resilience and probing our vulnerabilities, especially in the Baltic airspace and at sea. What you have described from your daily experience was very insightful. So for me, it is also very clear that we have to have a new approach to the new strategic importance of the Baltic Sea, and we have to raise the attention on that.

Against this backdrop, we have to strengthen Ukraines defence on one side, and we must take greater responsibility for our own defence posture. This is the logic behind the EUR 800 billion Defence Industrial Plan which we have launched. EUR 150 billion of it is its joint procurement instrument, SAFE. With SAFE, we are producing the capabilities Europe needs most like drones, cyber-defence, missiles or the whole space dimension. With SAFE, we will work, for example, on a comprehensive European Air Shield – not only to protect our airspace but also as a strong symbol of European unity in defence. 19 Member States, including Estonia, have signed up for SAFE by now. I am very happy that we now have full subscription for the EUR 150 billion of SAFE to improve our own defence posture with joint European projects, but also to invest in the Ukrainian defence industrial base, for example The options are here on the table. Member States have indicated that they will also use the SAFE instrument to support the Ukrainian defence industry. I think this is a win-win situation. Because on the one hand, we can invest in the drone production to improve our own posture what drones are concerned. On the other hand, this also creates additional revenue for Ukraine through the European Union.

Dear Kristen,

Estonia is already among NATOs top defence spenders relative to GDP. It is at 5%, if I am correct. On top of this, you have asked for budget flexibility to boost defence spending under the national escape clause. 15 Member States have done the same. So, we are rapidly investing more, we are investing better, and we are investing European.

Now, looking forward, there are three different main tasks we have to work on. The first is about our own European defence posture. In October, at the informal European Council in Denmark, the Commission will present the Roadmap for Readiness, where we analyse the gaps that we have and how to fill them. Second, by 2030, our aim is to have significantly filled all the gaps that we have identified today. The second parallel path is that we of course strengthen Ukraines defence posture. And the third element is about our new, modern and long-term European budget, which the Commission has just proposed. Here, we put a strong focus on defence. We have proposed a fivefold increase in defence investment and a tenfold increase in funding for military mobility. Estonia knows very well how important the investment in defence and in military mobility.

Thank you very much.