Putin uses two traps against the West.
The first is hope: the hope that Russian aggression will eventually fade, that relations can return to business as usual, and that meaningful change will come simply through dialogue.
The second is fear: the fear of escalation, designed to paralyze decision-making and weaken our resolve.
It is crucial that we avoid both traps.
My keynote at the Kiel Security Conference.
Apparently, it is possible to combine discussions on deterrence, hybrid threats, and security from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea with the festive atmosphere of Kieler Woche.
Well done, Kiel Security Conference.
Looking out over the #BalticSea from #Kiel with @tsahkna@MFAestonia, its strategic importance is unmistakable. So is our resolve. Together, we are stepping up #NATO cooperation, countering #Russia’s hybrid threats. Solidarity & trust are our best defence.
On 19–20 June, Foreign Minister @Tsahkna will visit Germany to meet with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul @AussenMinDE.
Minister Tsahkna will also participate in the Kiel Security Conference, where he will deliver a keynote address and take part in a panel discussion on the future of Europe’s deterrence posture.
Berlin is a vibrant place for discussions on European security and how to strengthen deterrence and defence in a changing transatlantic Alliance.
That’s exactly what we did this week with a great panel @BotschaftEstBer on @ecfr’s new report on European defence.
Putin’s center of gravity is his belief that time is on his side — that he can outlast Western resolve.
Ours is European unity. Not for appearances’ sake, but because it enables us to sustain the strategy that is working: raising the cost of aggression and supporting Ukraine.
Good strategy undermines the aggressor’s center of gravity and defends its own.
"Russia believed time was on its side. That the democratic West would tire first. Instead, it is losing around a thousand soldiers a day, while its economy is under growing strain."
Secretary General @vseviov speaks with @Aftonbladet in Stockholm.
https://t.co/LUosetRq0z
Today, we celebrate 142 years of Estonia's beloved blue-black-white flag.
Marked with the traditional flag-raising ceremony at Pikk Hermann Tower, the day honours a symbol that ties together our past, present and future.
💙🖤🤍
🇪🇪🤝🇩🇪Innovationspartnerschaft ist von Ministerin Pakosta und Bundesminister Wildberger unterzeichnet. Synergien entstehen durch 🇪🇪 digitale Erfahrung und Innovationsfreude und 🇩🇪 starke Wirtschafts- und Industriebasis. Ein weiterer wichtiger Meilenstein in 🇪🇪🇩🇪Beziehungen.
Saksa-Hollandi korpus võtab selle aasta keskpaigas NATO-s peamise vastutuse Eesti ja Läti kaitselahendi eest, võttes selle ülesande üle Poolas asuvalt Kirdekorpuselt.
https://t.co/OVpXerLiPF
🇩🇪🇳🇱 @1GENLCorps übernimmt Führungsrolle an NATO-Ostflanke, insbesondere in 🇪🇪und 🇱🇻. Es unterstützt Verteidigung und stärkt die Abschreckung.
Dadurch gewinnt 🇩🇪Rolle bei Sicherung der NATO-Ostflanke noch mehr an Bedeutung. Wir wissen dies sehr zu schätzen. Vielen Dank 🇩🇪🇳🇱!
1 German-Netherlands Corps @1GENLCorps will assume NATO’s primary responsibility for the defence posture of 🇪🇪Estonia and 🇱🇻Latvia later this year.
This means more allied presence, more joint training and stronger deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank. Thank you 🇩🇪🇳🇱 #WeAreNATO
Importance of Germany in securing the defence and deterrence posture of NATO’s Eastern Flank is clearly growing.
We value this very highly. Thank you 🇩🇪🇳🇱
#WeAreNATO#StrongerTogether
NATO has decided to assign the @1GENLCorps to the defence of the Baltic states, with primary responsibility for Estonia and Latvia.
This is a major step in strengthening @NATO’s eastern flank and a strong signal that Europe is taking greater responsibility for its own security.
Estonia thanks Germany and the Netherlands for this important decision.
🇪🇪🇩🇪Estland und Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg: es war mir eine Ehre, den Infrastrukturminister Leis und die Hafendelegation in Hamburg zu begleiten und bei Unterzeichnung des LoI zwischen den Hafenvertretern von Tallinn und Hamburg anwesend zu sein.
📷 HHM / Hasskamp
Participated in today’s #GAC in Brussels, where I discussed with colleagues the EU’s next long-term budget, preparations for the June European Council, and EU–UK relations.
I stressed that the next #MFF must strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, security, and strategic connectivity, including projects like Rail Baltic.
I also underlined the need to swiftly open EU accession negotiation chapters with Ukraine and Moldova and to adopt a strong 21st sanctions package, including a full ban on maritime services for vessels transporting Russian oil.
Herzlichen Dank für die Treffen und den sehr guten Austausch in der schönen Hansestadt Lübeck in Schleswig-Holstein an Minister @ClausRuhe, an Bürgermeister Lindenau, an den Stadtpräsidenten Schumann und an CEO der Lübecker Hafen-Gesellschaft Prof. Dr. Jürgens. @Land_SH