Supporting Ukraine
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-10-23 15:55
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The fifth question during the Riigikogu information session concerned supporting Ukraine, focusing on Ukrainian men residing in Estonia who have received temporary protection. Member of the Riigikogu Mart Helme highlighted Ukraine's serious manpower shortage on the front lines, citing estimates of a loss of 700,000 to 1.5 million men. Helme asked Prime Minister Kaja Kallas whether the government has plans to deal with the 5000–7000 men residing in Estonia who, in his view, should be fighting for their country. Helme suggested that Estonia could take the initiative, for example, by not extending temporary protection permits, thereby helping Ukraine solve its labor and engineering shortages.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas confirmed Estonia’s unwavering support for Ukraine both in military aid and in the energy and heating sectors. However, Kallas rejected Helme's proposals regarding the compulsory return of temporary protection recipients. The Prime Minister noted that the government has repeatedly discussed this topic, but there has been no request from Ukraine to send anyone back, and the Estonian government also has no desire to initiate such an action. Kallas added that Ukraine's preference is to provide training and skills to the people residing here so that they can support their country if necessary. Mart Helme subsequently criticized Estonia’s passivity and dismissed any discussions about sending Estonian troops to Ukraine, emphasizing that the priority should be sending Ukrainians back to defend their country. Prime Minister Kallas, in turn, refuted Helme’s factual claims regarding migration trends and the demographic situation in Estonia, confirming that Estonia will continue to assist Ukraine without drawing red lines.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Mart Helme was the most active speaker, posing sharp questions to the government regarding the repatriation of Ukrainian war refugee men and criticizing the government's inaction. His position is right-wing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Mart Helme is asking his fifth question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the support of Ukraine.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme asked whether the Estonian government has a clear plan for the 5,000 to 7,000 men who have left Ukraine, ensuring that they remain in Ukraine to fight on the front lines for their country, rather than accepting international protection and aid.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed Estonia's support for Ukraine through military aid, the utilization of the defense industry, and energy and heating aid, and said that although discussions are taking place regarding recipients of temporary protection and applications for international protection, no applications have been submitted to us, and nobody will be sent out from there.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair recognizes Mart Helme for the next clarifying question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme notes that Ukraine is in dire straits and suggests coordinating aid through diplomatic channels to alleviate the shortage of necessary manpower on the front lines—including engineers and repair workers. He also suggests considering how people currently residing here could help Ukraine, and, if necessary, that temporary residence permits should not be extended.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Europe has significantly helped Ukraine and will continue to do so in the future. Estonia is leading the way and strives to remain at the forefront, knowing Russia's goals. Furthermore, training and skills are being offered to Ukrainian people so that they can go to support Ukraine if the need arises.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the speaker] and asks Martin Helme to pose a supplementary question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme's speech stressed that Estonia must not allow Ukraine to become demographically depleted or turn into a small Ukraine, and that the main priority must be defending Ukraine itself, not sending Estonian troops to Ukraine.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that Estonia must help Ukraine with everything, and that migration trends do not confirm their claims, and Russia is not our friend—Ukraine is—therefore Ukraine must be helped.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concludes the discussion of today's fifth question.