Sending Estonian soldiers to Ukraine
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2025-05-07 15:27
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The third question concerned the deployment of Estonian soldiers to Ukraine. The discussion focused on Estonia’s participation in foreign missions, the command model, and security risks: to what extent, if at all, Estonia should cooperate with allies, in what form (professional soldiers versus mercenaries), and what the potential consequences would be for Russia. As the topic involves military-technical contribution and the maintenance of international peace, the discussion raised numerous questions from both government and opposition representatives: what is the government's position, what is the associated risk, and how are the interests and legal framework of citizens reflected? On the one hand, it was emphasized that Estonia will not participate in the combat phase temporarily; on the other hand, it was confirmed that professional soldiers are involved in peace and deterrence missions and that the decision originates from the government cabinet. The entire discussion reflects the balancing of family and national security through cooperation with allies, and the need for a thorough security analysis.
Decisions Made 1
The government decided to participate in overseas missions in Ukraine alongside professional defense forces, with a contingent of approximately 150 men, in cooperation with allies (e.g. the USA, the United Kingdom, France, and other European countries). The decision emphasizes that these are professional defense forces, not conscripts, and that countries are acting in this way to ensure peace and deterrence; the aim is to achieve sustainable peace and reduce risks to Estonia’s security. (Government Cabinet collective decision)
Most Active Speaker
Martin Helme (EKRE) was the most active participant in this question during the third question time, representing the right-wing, conservative political line and emphasizing strong national security and specific international directions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair announces the third question, which will be asked by Riigikogu member Martin Helme to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, on the topic of sending Estonian soldiers to Ukraine.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the government that Estonia is sending troops to Ukraine and thereby risks being drawn into a war with Russia, and asks why Estonia does not focus first on its own defense and why we are sending our boys there to die.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that Estonia is not participating in hostilities, but is contributing to peace through broader international cooperation, and contract soldiers, about 150 men, will participate in foreign missions to ensure Ukraine a lasting and just peace, which Estonia also stands for.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks and asks that Martin Helme pose a clarifying question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the USA does not defend countries that go to war in Ukraine, emphasizes that war decisions are in the hands of politicians and not in the hands of the Commander of the Defence Forces, and warns that the government's plan to send Estonian men to the front puts the survival of the Estonian people at risk and leads the country to war.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister said that the Estonian Defence Forces participate in foreign missions, that he listens to the defence chiefs, and that the Ukraine issue is important to us; he warned against leniency toward Russia and noted that dictators understand only force, and he supported the United States' and Trump's efforts to achieve peace.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and informs that the supplementary question will be posed by his colleague Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid repeatedly criticized the expression "nahahoidlikkus" and said that the state's accountability is something different, and the decision to send a Defence Forces contingent to Ukraine must be made in Parliament, not by the Chief of the Defence Forces, and he asked for a security analysis before such a step that would map the risks.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The government confirms a joint decision: if states participate in Ukraine to ensure security, Estonia will also participate—with professional soldiers, not conscripts—and the exact form of participation and the role will be decided by the Defence Forces planners; current international efforts, in which the USA, United States, United Kingdom, France and others participate, are aimed at achieving lasting peace, after which Estonia may participate in deterrence-peacekeeping or in some other mission, but disagreements remain, for example regarding changes to the constitution.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and announces that today’s consideration of the third question will be concluded.