Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas declared that “everything” is on the table to support Ukraine’s victory over Putin, and leaders must privately discuss all options, Politico reports.
She said it commenting on French President Emmanuel Macron’s hint at the possibility of sending ground troops to assist Kyiv. Macron’s suggestion previously triggered a backlash from allied governments, with leaders quickly clarifying that troop deployment was not imminent.
Macron doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine; Stoltenberg says NATO has no such plans (updated)
“I think it is also the signals that we are sending to Russia, that we are not ruling out different things,” Kallas told Politico’s Power Play podcast. “Because all the countries have understood that we have to do everything so that Ukraine wins and Russia loses this war.”
While major EU nations like Germany, the UK, and the US have ruled out sending troops to Ukraine, Lithuania’s PM Gabrielius Landsbergis welcomed the debate sparked by Macron, emphasizing that “nothing can be taken off the table, no option can be rejected out of hand.” In response, Moscow claimed that deploying Western troops to Ukraine would lead to a conflict between Russia and NATO.
Kallas, interested in the NATO secretary-general role, believes it should go to a leader from a country meeting the 2% defense spending target. However, with Dutch Prime Minister Rutte backed by several key countries likely to get the role, this seems improbable. Kallas noted that Rutte would be the fourth Dutch secretary-general, while no Baltic leader has held the position.
“There is a question whether there are first-rank and second-rank countries in NATO,” the Estonian PM said. “Are we equals, or are we not equals? So these questions still remain.”
Kallas also defended Germany’s financial and military support for Ukraine, stating that criticism of Germany is unjust when considering their contributions. She believes that Germany has done a lot for Ukraine and it’s not fair that they have been criticized so much.
EU Parliament urges EU to give Ukraine whatever it needs, including Taurus
Read also:
- Macron doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine; Stoltenberg says NATO has no such plans (updated)
- Stoltenberg on F-16: Ukraine has right to self-defense, including hitting targets outside the country
- Ukraine joining NATO is a matter of when, not if, NATO chief says
- French Defense Minister: France to supply Ukraine with newest kamikaze drones in coming weeks
