The president of the Conservative People's organization of Estonia (EKRE), Martin Helme, believes that Ukraine no longer has a real chance of regaining the territories occupied by Russia.
The politician categorically besides excludes the anticipation of sending Estonian soldiers to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission. In his opinion, the fresh global safety order will yet be established as a consequence of agreements between the top powers.
“Of course, in a situation where this war has been fundamentally lost—which is now openly granted—and there are almost no realistic chances that Ukraine will be reinstated within its authoritative borders,” said Helme in an interview with Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR, Estonian radio and television).
According to him, both Americans and Europeans and Ukrainians themselves are aware that the border between Ukraine and Russia after a possible peace treaty will be determined by the current frontline.
“I cannot say if there will be any corrections, exchanges or modifications on the outskirts, but fundamentally any territory that the Russians have acquired will stay in their hands. In this sense, it is crucial to end the war as shortly as possible, as the Russians gain more ground all day. The sooner the war is over, the little land will stay in Russia's hands and more Ukraine will be preserved," added Helme.
When asked about the anticipation of sending Estonian soldiers to Ukraine, the EKRE leader replied decisively:
“ Absolutely not! Even beginning specified a discussion in Estonia is, in my opinion, dangerous, harmful and stupid."
He besides stressed that decisions concerning Ukraine are made by the major powers and that Estonia should not presume additional work for the defence of another state.
“Structures will decide without our participation, but they cannot decide for us that as a border state with Russia we should besides take work for defending another front country. specified megalomanese visions should not be sustained by reasonable and rational people," commented Helme.
The opposition leader criticized the Liberal government of Estonia, claiming that from the very beginning he had made fundamental mistakes in his approach to the war in Ukraine.
“This emotional getting excited, the claim that the war of Ukraine is our war, was false from the very beginning – it was never our war. It was a war of Ukraine in which we support it financially and otherwise, but it is not our war," he said.
He besides added that Estonia has devoted its military and financial resources to Ukraine's assistance, but has received nothing circumstantial in return.
Helme predicts that Ukraine's future safety will depend primarily on the US's ability to support its independent defence.
“It is absolutely clear that the Americans and Russians will come to a broader agreement on global safety architecture. And they will not be the only participants of this agreement – it will besides include China, Europe, the Arctic and all related issues," he stressed.
He besides referred to the statements of American Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth, who stated that in the future Europe should take the main work for its security.
“It has been said that America will meet its allied obligations within NATO. To put it plainly, this means that the US will come to our aid if Russia attacks us, but only if Europeans fulfil their duties and strengthen their national defences," explained the leader EKRE.
What is EKRE?
The EKRE programme is based on defending Estonia's sovereignty, limiting immigration and a strong family-friendly policy. The organization is in favour of reducing the impact of the European Union on Estonian law and greater autonomy in economical and social decisions. EKRE besides opposes EU climate policy and considers it harmful to the Estonian economy.
In the last parliamentary election in Estonia held in 2023, EKRE won about 16% of the vote, which translated into 17 seats in Riigikog, an Estonian parliament. The organization remains the main opposition force against the government led by the improvement organization and Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
