Estonian Ambassador on Ukraine Support: Consent, Not Putin's Approval

Estonia's Commitment to Ukraine

• 🇪🇪 Estonia has pledged to deploy troops on the ground in Ukraine, emphasizing that support must come with Ukraine's consent, not Vladimir Putin's.
• 💡 The ambassador states that Russia can end the war by stopping its aggression, but Putin believes he is prevailing.

Shifting Calculations and Peace Prospects

• 🎯 To change Putin's calculation, support for Ukraine must be increased, alongside additional economic pressure on Russia.
• ⚠️ Peace remains elusive as long as Russia continues fighting; waiting for Putin's approval for NATO troop deployment is futile.
• 🤝 Estonia's stance is that consent is needed from Ukraine as the host country and from willing contributors, not from Russia.

Estonia's Troop Contribution and NATO's Role

• 💂 Estonia is prepared to send a company-sized contingent (around 150-200 people) to Ukraine, which is a significant per capita contribution.
• 🛡️ This deployment is seen as more important than waiting for a ceasefire, aiming to deter future attacks and oversee peace.
• 🌍 The presence of NATO battle groups in frontline states like Estonia is crucial for Article 5 and overall European security.

US Role and European Guarantees

• 🇺🇸 While the US is a vital ally, its stated contribution might be minimal, focusing on intelligence, air, and communications capabilities rather than troops on the ground.
• 🇪🇺 Europe is expected to play a major part in any assurance force, but European leaders believe US backing is necessary for such a mission.
• 🤝 The discussion highlights the need for American