Security
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2025-05-07 16:04
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today's discussion focused on security programs and Estonia’s role in international operations, particularly within the context of what is happening in Ukraine. The question of what country could serve as the framework nation (the country under whose authority Estonian units are planned and which exercises control) and how possible participation in ensuring Ukraine’s security would take place was addressed. From the two-way discussion, it emerged that the composition and mandates of the contingent depend on a broader international agreement and the progress of the Defence Forces’ planning; the final form of the contingent and the framework nation will become clear within the context of planning and security and foreign policy decisions, and with parliamentary authorization. Estonia’s broader participation in international operations and its impact on allied joint and deterrent capabilities, as well as Europe and the United States’ efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, were also discussed.
Decisions Made 1
No concrete decisions have been made. The Defence Forces Headquarters and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are involved in the discussion. Future requests for parliamentary mandates to participate in Ukraine will be necessary, and the final form of the contingent, the host nation, and operational details will be clarified during the planning process and within the framework of international agreements.
Most Active Speaker
Mart Helme – EKRE, Member of the Riigikogu; right-wing political position (on the right-wing spectrum).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that the opening of today's sixth question would be canceled due to the questioner's absence, and they immediately moved on to the seventh question, which Riigikogu member Mart Helme will pose to Prime Minister Kristen Michal on the topic of security.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticized the idea of sending Estonian soldiers in the context of the Ukraine war, emphasizing that they represent the Republic of Estonia, and asked what the umbrella country for the Estonian contingent is, which countries are willing to go to Ukraine, and whether Russia accepts them as peacekeepers or regards them as legitimate targets, and who this umbrella country actually is.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasizes that now is exactly your time to act.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask whether it concerns Great Britain, France, or some third- or fourth-country, and whether you already have a clear understanding or whether your opinions come solely from coffee grounds.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker thanks and notes that two minutes are allocated for posing a question, and requests the Prime Minister's attention.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Estonia participates in international operations in order to strengthen alliance ties, develop the Defence Forces, and contribute to ensuring peace and stability in the world, and on the issue of Ukraine Estonia is ready, together with its allies, to contribute to achieving a long-term and more just peace in accordance with the Parliament's mandate and the details that will become clear during the planning of operations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and asked Mart Helme to present a clarifying question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
According to Mart Helme, the world is Ukraine-centered and crises are spreading, and therefore countries may abandon aid to Ukraine, and this requires Estonia to completely restart its foreign policy and to focus on its own country's survival.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia's defense capability and investments will increase significantly—from next year at least 5% of GDP—, defense procurements and capability development will be accelerated, emphasizing that under the current conditions of Russia's war there is no direct threat to NATO and the EU, but achieving a durable and just peace is as important for the future of Estonia and the region as border defense and our capabilities, and he praised the efforts of the US and European leaders and the professionalism of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks the audience and announces that Martin Helme will present an additional question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticizes the Reform Party's press release about guaranteeing Ukraine's security, emphasizing that Estonia must not end up in a combat zone and that our units must not be under the authority of another country, and he asks under whose command they would be and how it is ensured that they would not be sent into a combat zone.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Michal stressed that Estonia is active in international missions, and that the Defence Forces' planning determines how we participate, and that Ukraine's reconstruction and long-term peace are very important for Europe and Estonia, and that ensuring Russia's accountability is our joint interest.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks the audience and announces that he is ending the discussion of today's seventh question.