Estonian Foreign Minister Warns Europe Against Acting as Neutral Mediator in Russia War

He argues Moscow exploits false hope plus fear to split the West and urges higher defence spending, a fresh EU sanctions package, and continued military support for Ukraine.

Overview

In Kiel on Friday and Saturday, Margus Tsahkna met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and delivered a keynote at the Kiel Security Conference to press European leaders not to assume a neutral mediator role in the Russia‑Ukraine war.
Tsahkna said President Vladimir Putin uses two tactics—offering false hope and spreading fear—to divide Western countries and prompt premature diplomacy that would weaken pressure on Moscow.
He pointed to recent Ukrainian deep‑strike operations inside Russia as evidence that Kyiv’s growing military capability makes sustained Western support and pressure both possible and necessary for deterrence.
Tsahkna urged NATO allies to move toward spending about 5% of GDP on defence and to ensure those funds produce tangible combat capabilities ahead of the July NATO summit in Ankara.
He called on the EU to adopt a robust 21st sanctions package and continue enlargement, and he welcomed the German‑Netherlands Corps taking primary responsibility for defence arrangements covering Estonia and Latvia.