What was discussed with Macron
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, third sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-03-13 14:19
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 17
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 17/17 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item focused on the interpellation submitted to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding her statements following the Paris meeting of Western leaders, where support for Ukraine and the potential deployment of troops were discussed. The questioner, Martin Helme, accused the Prime Minister of lying to the Estonian public because Kallas had claimed that sending troops to Ukraine "was not a topic" nor "a proposal." Helme highlighted contrary quotes from several other heads of state (including Polish President Duda, Slovak Prime Minister Fico, and French President Macron), which confirmed that the issue had been under discussion and was, at times, even "heated."
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas rejected the accusations of lying, emphasizing that the disagreement was semantic, distinguishing between "maaväed" (ground troops) and "sõdurid kohapeal" (troops on the ground). Kallas explained that in Paris, they had agreed upon strategic ambiguity so as not to send a clear signal to Russia about what the West definitely excludes. She stressed that Estonia is doing everything possible to prevent the war from spreading here, and that supporting Ukraine is a cheaper and more effective way to ensure its own security. Kallas repeatedly confirmed that any deployment of Estonian soldiers outside the country requires a mandate from the Riigikogu (Parliament).
Decisions Made 1
No new official decision was made during the inquiry. Prime Minister Kallas confirmed that sending Estonian soldiers on a foreign mission requires a mandate from the Riigikogu.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Martin Helme, who submitted a formal query and two clarifying questions. Helme represented the right-wing opposition, adopting a sharply critical stance regarding the government’s communication and potential military intervention. He demanded a clear and public assurance from the prime minister that Estonia would not send its soldiers to war with Russia, deeming the opposite action "madness" and a move that would put Estonia on the path to destruction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announces that we are moving on to the second item on the agenda because Martin Helme has been waiting for a long time. A question will then be posed to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding her discussion with Macron.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asserts that several European heads of state claimed in Paris that the deployment of troops to Ukraine was under discussion, which contradicts his earlier statement, and he poses a direct question: why did he lie to the Estonian public yet again?
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas confirmed that there was no talk of sending ground forces, and that all options must be kept on the table for Ukraine to achieve victory, in order to win the war and thereby protect European security.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the assembly] and announced that a clarifying question would follow, before asking Martin Helme to take the floor.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme emphasizes that Estonia must clearly rule out any possibility that we would send our soldiers to war with Russia on the territory of a foreign country, and instead focus solely on our own defense in Estonia.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that Estonia has no plans to send ground troops to Ukraine, and any deployment of ground forces would require a mandate from the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament). However, Estonia is assisting Ukraine with ammunition, air defense, and training. She also stressed that Russia's aggression is determined by Russia itself, not by Estonia's actions, and that international law and the self-defense of every nation are of paramount importance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and requests one additional question, calling upon Mart Helme to respond.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stated that Estonia must focus on its own defense and keep its mobilization reserve at home, rather than sending ammunition or ground forces to Ukraine. He stressed that 1.6 billion euros is required for just two weeks of combat ammunition, ensuring that all resources are retained for the defense of Estonia and NATO's eastern flank.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar says that Mart Helme's time has come.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme says that the aid provided to Ukraine is certainly much smaller than Ukraine’s own effort, and if there is any talk at all about sending auxiliary forces to Ukraine, then those must first be dispatched.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Now is your time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He claims there are roughly 10,000 to 11,000 Ukrainian deserters in Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker addresses his colleague Mart Helme, noting that he is already half a minute over time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme is demanding that troops be sent to Ukraine, and he is asking what the government would do if Ukraine requested Estonian forces.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that Mart Helme’s time for posing the question had expired, and requested that they not waste time so that the Madam Prime Minister could respond.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas affirmed that Estonia is protected and is helping Ukraine win, by utilizing the Riigikogu mandate for providing military assistance and implementing NATO defense plans, thereby preventing Russia’s war from expanding into our territory and strengthening Estonian security.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks them and announces that the consideration of today's second item is concluded.