Tsahkna: Russia responds to peace initiatives with new strikes on Dnipro and Chernihiv

Tallinn's reaction to Russian attacks

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna commented on recent Russian strikes on the cities of Dnipro and Chernihiv. His remarks indicate that dozens of civilians were killed and injured as a result of these shelling incidents.

According to the Estonian diplomat, these actions are a direct response by Moscow to any international efforts aimed at establishing peace.

Minister's stance: pressure as a condition for stopping the war

«Ось така відповідь Путіна на зусилля, спрямовані на досягнення миру: ще більше насильства. Росія відмовиться від своїх військових цілей та розпочне серйозні мирні переговори лише в тому разі, якщо ми посилимо тиск» (This is Putin's response to efforts aimed at achieving peace: even more violence. Russia will abandon its military goals and begin serious peace negotiations only if we intensify the pressure), Tsahkna emphasised.

He underscored the need for decisive action by the international community to halt Russian aggression. In the view of the head of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, the key instruments of pressure should be:

• strengthening the sanctions regime;
• deeper isolation of Russia on the international arena;
• intensifying support for Ukraine, particularly its air defence systems.

«Ми повинні посилити санкції, ще більше ізолювати Росію на міжнародній арені та активізувати нашу підтримку України, зокрема її систем протиповітряної оборони» (We must strengthen sanctions, further isolate Russia on the international arena, and intensify our support for Ukraine, particularly its air defence systems), the Estonian minister added.