Inquiry regarding Ukrainian refugees, especially men of mobilization age (No. 794)
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-06 21:24
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 26
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 30m
AI Summaries: 26/26 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated Interpellation No. 794, submitted by Jaak Valge and Leo Kunnas, concerning the granting of international protection in Estonia to Ukrainian refugees, particularly men of mobilization age. Interpellator Jaak Valge sharply criticized Estonia’s refugee policy, asserting that mobilization-aged men constitute an unnaturally large proportion (allegedly 65%) of those receiving international protection, which, in his estimation, undermines Ukraine’s struggle and provides refuge to deserters. Valge demanded clarification on why Estonia is protecting these men seemingly from the Ukrainian state, and whether their status regarding Ukrainian military service obligations is being verified.
Minister of the Interior Igor Taro categorically refuted the statistics presented by Valge, accusing the interpellator of demagoguery and confusing data (international protection versus temporary protection). Minister Taro confirmed that a total of 12,500 mobilization-aged men out of 35,000 protection recipients have been granted protection in Estonia, making the proportion less than 30%. He noted that this figure is close to the European average (24%) and does not indicate any specific Estonian anomaly. Taro stressed that Estonia protects Ukrainian citizens from Russian aggression, and the Ministry of the Interior has offered assistance to the Ukrainian embassy regarding those subject to mobilization, though no official request has been received. The debate was tense, with Valge and other opposition politicians (Ernits, Põlluaas) accusing the minister of obfuscation and lack of specificity, particularly within the specific category of international protection recipients.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Jaak Valge (other), who submitted the interpellation, was the most active speaker, asking critical questions, challenging the minister's statistics, and demanding policy change.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced the start of the fifth item on the agenda, which was Interpellation No. 794 by Riigikogu members Jaak Valge and Leo Kunnas concerning Ukrainian refugees, especially men of mobilization age, and invited Riigikogu member Jaak Valge to the rostrum for the presentation.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge sharply criticizes Estonia's refugee policy and the actions of the Ministry of the Interior, arguing that the concept of international protection in Estonia has acquired a new and ironic meaning. This is because the protection is primarily offered to Ukrainian men of mobilization age (who make up 65% of the recipients), who are seemingly being protected from the mobilization obligation of their home country, rather than the true victims of the war—women and children. This practice differs significantly from that of neighboring countries.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and announced that the opportunity to answer questions had arrived, and he invited Minister of the Interior Igor Taro to the Riigikogu rostrum to respond to the interpellators' questions.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro responded to an inquiry regarding Ukrainian war refugees and men of mobilization age, categorically refuting the misleading data presented in the questions concerning the large proportion of men (which is under 30%). He confirmed that Estonia protects refugees from Russian aggression, not from the Ukrainian state, and called on Riigikogu members to steer clear of Russian propaganda and focus on Estonian population protection.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the minister for his specific answers and then gave the floor to the questioner, Jaak Valge, to clarify whether the answers were sufficient and to continue the round of questions.
Jaak Valge
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Jaak Valge accuses the minister of vagueness and demagoguery, stressing that the ministry does not sufficiently differentiate between international and temporary protection. Citing PPA data, he asserts that 65% of Ukrainian men of mobilization age in Estonia have received the more extensive international protection, rather than temporary protection, while also criticizing the ministry's inability to correctly analyze data from neighboring countries.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi briefly informed his colleague that the next round of negotiations would soon begin.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge posed a pointed question as to why the opposing side avoids constructive debate and deliberately muddles the terms during the discussion.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Minister of the Interior Igor Taro used statistical data to refute the opposing side's claims that Estonia supposedly favors Ukrainian men of mobilization age when granting international protection. He clarified that men constitute less than 30% of those who received protection, a figure very close to the European average (24%), and accused the opponent of demagoguery for distorting the data.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Peeter Ernits, inviting him to the podium to begin his presentation.
Peeter Ernits
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Peeter Ernits expressed indignation over the criticism that he deals with unrealistic topics, highlighting that the war has reached the Elva municipality with a crater, and subsequently asked the minister whether they should consider forming an Estonian-Ukrainian division from the 12,500 mobilization-aged Ukrainian men currently residing in Estonia, so that they could go defend their homeland.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro categorically refutes allegations that a division of mobilization-aged men is hidden in Estonia, ready for Ukraine to deploy to the front lines. He stressed that most of these men lack training and that the claim amounts to a pointless numbers game, not real military capability, further confirming that Ukraine has not officially requested such a unit.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called upon Henn Põlluaas to take the rostrum and begin his address.
Henn Põlluaas
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Henn Põlluaas dismisses the preceding narrative as pure demagoguery and accuses the opposing side of outright lying, categorically refuting the claim that mobilization-aged Ukrainians residing in Estonia who have received temporary protection receive no support whatsoever from the state. He emphasizes that, according to the Social Insurance Board, they are entitled to the same benefits and support as Estonian residents.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Minister of the Interior Igor Taro took the opportunity to clarify his earlier statement, stressing that the Ministry of the Interior does not provide subsistence benefits to Ukrainian war refugees, nor does it pay them any financial compensation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience, concluded the round of questions, officially opened the discussions, and gave the floor to Jaak Valge as the first speaker.
Jaak Valge
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Jaak Valge began with a brief word of thanks, and then requested three extra minutes, just in case, to continue his address.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi delivered an extremely brief message, which was limited only to the time designation: "eight minutes."
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge voiced sharp dissatisfaction with the minister’s evasive answers and demagoguery, sharply criticizing Estonia’s policy of granting international protection to thousands of Ukrainian men of mobilization age. He stressed that this sends the wrong signal to deserters, undermines Ukraine’s will to defend itself, and contradicts the principle of assisting the country. He urgently demands an end to granting international protection and requiring a certificate of exemption from military service from all those who have received it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker, Mr. Valge, confirmed that no other members of the Riigikogu had requested the floor, and subsequently gave the floor to Minister Igor Taro to conclude the debate.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro emphasizes Estonia’s unwavering support for Ukraine, which is comparable to the European average. This support is demonstrated through both military aid and the provision of protection to the Ukrainian people. He refuted criticism regarding the forced return of refugees, confirming that the Ukrainian state has not officially requested such a step from Estonia. Furthermore, the proportion of men residing in Estonia is entirely comparable to the European average.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi closed the debate, thanked the participants, and immediately gave the floor to Peeter Ernits, who wished to pose a question to the Chair.
Peeter Ernits
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Peeter Ernits, who is a member of the Ukraine parliamentary group, is protesting the statement made by the Minister of the Interior.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi began his address with a polite and formal greeting, referring to the audience as colleagues.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits categorically rejected the claim that Siberia and Ukraine were one and the same, emphasizing their distinct differences.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi politely concluded the discussion, thanking his colleague and then announcing that the time for negotiations was over.