Security
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, press briefing
Date: 2024-03-06 15:48
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 7m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today’s information hour focused on security issues, particularly concerning Estonia’s position in the war in Ukraine and topics discussed at international meetings. Riigikogu member Mart Helme (EKRE) posed a pointed question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, accusing the head of government of lying to the public regarding the possible deployment of ground troops to Ukraine. Helme referenced French President Macron's initiative and foreign media coverage, demanding a clear and unambiguous confirmation from the Prime Minister that Estonian regular military units would not go to fight in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas rejected the accusations, emphasizing that she was present at the meeting in question and knew exactly what had been discussed. She confirmed that the discussion was not about sending ground troops, but more broadly about options for supporting soldiers. Kallas then provided the clear answer Helme demanded, confirming that Estonian soldiers would not go to fight in Ukraine. The Prime Minister stressed that Estonia's efforts are aimed at ending the war in Ukraine by providing ammunition, air defense, and training, but not direct military intervention. The session was extremely tense, as Helme repeatedly interrupted the Prime Minister's response, forcing the presiding officer to repeatedly restore order and reprimand Helme for violating the rules.
Decisions Made 1
No official decisions or draft legislation were adopted during the information session. It involved the provision of information concerning the government's activities to the members of the Riigikogu (Parliament).
Most Active Speaker
The most active politician was Mart Helme, a member of the Riigikogu, who asked a question and repeatedly interrupted the Prime Minister's response, thereby violating the rules of the information session and creating strong tensions in the chamber. Helme represents the opposition (the Conservative People's Party of Estonia, right-wing), criticizing the government's security policy and demanding a clear definition regarding the scope of Estonia's military support for Ukraine.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Member of the Riigikogu Mart Helme is submitting a question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas concerning security.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme blames the people and the opposition, confirming that going to war in Ukraine was discussed, and emphasizes that Macron's initiative is absolutely right, stressing the need to keep all options on the table and think outside the box.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Mart to ask his question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme wants a clear and unambiguous answer: Estonia will not send its soldiers to Ukraine.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the audience and emphasizes the importance of their time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stresses that regular military units would not be sent to fight in Ukraine, and he requests a clear and unequivocal answer, adding that he does not want to hear the claim that Ukraine must not lose the war.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Hussar declares the colleague's time has expired and addresses the Prime Minister with a request.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that Elering could lose revenue if the cable is severed, and although people may be better informed, it must be debated whether Elering is capable of demonstrating the actual situation using figures.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invited his colleagues to discuss security and requested the Madam Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas asks whether anyone was present at the meeting or if she was, and how others know what was discussed there, followed by a loud thud in the hall, prompting her to request: "Don't break the furniture."
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair of the Information Hour suspends the discussion because Mart Helme failed to follow the rules and disrupted the session, and asks that the Prime Minister be allowed to respond.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas confirmed that Estonia will not enter the war or send ground troops to Ukraine. Instead, it will provide ammunition, air defense systems, and soldier training, and will focus on the political isolation of Russia, ensuring that this war ends in Ukraine and does not spread beyond its borders.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
At the conclusion of the information hour, Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the time allotted for questions was limited, and that the chamber summons must sound exactly at 13:58, after which we will continue with the Riigikogu plenary session at 14:00.