Prime Minister Kallas: Bolder decisions are needed to curb Russian aggression

OSLO – Prime Minister Kaja Kallas met today in Oslo with her Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre, discussing relations between Estonia and Norway, Russian aggression against Ukraine, the changed security situation in Europe and energy security and co-operation.

The Estonian head of government says the most barbaric of war crimes have been committed by Russia against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha and Irpin. “There is no statute of limitations in regard to such atrocities,” she said. “Evidence must be gathered and prepared for trial. The perpetrators will be brought to justice. They include the Russian soldiers who are following orders and carrying out these barbarous acts. Sadly, Russia’s war against Ukraine and its population continues, as are the Russian authorities’ and state media’s appalling attempts to dehumanise the Ukrainian people.”

Prime Minister Kallas cautioned that bolder decisions need to be made in order to curb Russian aggression. “Our top priority must be to provide Ukraine with additional weapons and supplies,” she advised. “The country needs our military assistance if it is to win back its cities and liberate its people from Russian occupation and repressions.”

The Estonian head of government remarked that the cost of Russia’s aggression must be raised even further in order to completely isolate the country and stop its war machine. “Ukraine will not win this war while sanctions continue to be inadequate,” she advised, adding that although a new package of EU sanctions is being prepared – among them proposals made by Estonia – progress must be made on hard-hitting energy sanctions. “We know that the lion’s share of funding for Russia’s war machine comes from its sale of oil and gas, so that is what we must target with our sanctions,” she said.

The Estonian and Norwegian prime ministers also discussed the need for NATO to adapt to the changed security situation and to take steps for the longterm reinforcement of the alliance’s defence and deterrence position on its eastern flank. Prime Minister Kallas thanked Norway for its contribution to the security of the Baltic region. “Your forces are currently on the ground in Lithuania, and we would be very happy to see Norwegian fighter jets at our base in Ämari helping to secure Baltic airspace,” she remarked.

Opportunities for further energy cooperation between Estonia and Norway were also discussed during the meeting by the heads of government. “We want our environment to be cleaner and better cared for, and the adoption of green energy in place of fossil fuels is of key importance here,” said Prime Minister Kallas. “We have a lot to learn from Norway in terms of implementing the green transition and producing green energy. For that reason I am very pleased that Prime Minister Støre has agreed to my proposal to establish a working group to chart two things: what we are already doing, and what more we can do. That will provide us with the ideas and vision we need to take our cooperation in the fields of energy and the green transition to the next level.”

While in Oslo today, Prime Minister Kallas also met with President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani, head of the Norwegian parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide and other members of the committee before attending a round table at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. She is being accompanied on her visit to Norway by an Estonian business delegation. This evening she will be attending the opening of an Estonian-Norwegian energy cooperation seminar and visiting the local companies Aker, Equinor and Fortum Oslo Varme.