Other questions
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, press briefing
Date: 2025-02-26 15:49
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 5
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 4m
AI Summaries: 5/5 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The information session continued with an additional question posed by colleague Mart Helme (k2Jg87FGsDs) to Prime Minister Michal. Helme raised a significant defense policy dilemma, asking whether Estonia and Europe can realistically fulfill two major tasks simultaneously: continue assisting Ukraine in its current capacity and, at the same time, rapidly rebuild their independent defense capability, which has meanwhile been neglected. Helme wanted to know which is the priority, considering the possibility that the war in Ukraine might end sooner than expected, requiring Estonia to be quickly prepared.
Prime Minister Michal dismissed the assertion that Europe could not fulfill both tasks, emphasizing that assisting Ukraine and strengthening their own defense capabilities are inseparable, as Ukraine's fight is directly a fight for Europe's security. Michal urged Europe (which is 10–11 times larger economically) to "pull their socks up" and rapidly develop the defense industry. He expressed confidence that within three to seven years, there will be a very respectable defense industry sector in Europe and also in Estonia (which already has 153 companies in the defense industry association). The Prime Minister affirmed that the Estonian Defense Forces are necessary and resistance will be offered one hundred percent in any case.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Mart Helme raised a detailed and principled question regarding the priorities of Estonian and European defense policy, laying the groundwork for a substantive debate with the prime minister. (Position: other)
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar informs that the information hour will continue, and, in the order of registration, one more question will be addressed, for which it must be stated to which minister it goes, and Mart Helme has been registered as the next person to ask a question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme said that for Estonia and Europe a priority must be chosen – to continue assisting Ukraine or to focus on developing its own independent defence capability, because doing two tasks at once may be beyond us and the situation in the near future may change.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker thanks and presents a plea to the Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Ukraine needs and will receive aid and must be in as strong a position as possible, while Europe must build a strong defense industry, and Estonia is ready to resist and press Russia toward concessions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked the prime minister and all colleagues and government members for participating in the information session and for the very substantive debate, and informed that the information session had ended and the Riigikogu plenary session starting at 14:00 would continue.