Agenda Profile: Eerik-Niiles Kross
A debate on foreign policy initiated as a matter of significant national importance by the Foreign Affairs Committee.
2025-02-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The speaker's position is strongly values-driven, emphasizing the 30-year continuity of Estonian foreign policy and the need to maintain optimism while defending the values of freedom, responsibility, and peace. He criticizes the West for its overly slow and insufficient response to Russian aggression. Furthermore, he sees the current crisis as a unique opportunity for Estonia to participate in shaping the new world order. He warns that Europe may no longer be able to bear the cost, which has become exorbitant.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the fields of foreign policy and history, incorporating detailed references to the events of 1994 (Jüri Luik, Lennart Meri's Hamburg speech) and geopolitical patterns (the 19th century, the Peace of Westphalia). He uses historical parallels to analyze the current dismantling of the world order and the role of the US (Trump) in this process. He also references specific international programs such as USAID and Radio Free Europe.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is academic and analytical, yet simultaneously compelling, using historical narrative and personal memories to forge an emotional connection. The speaker opens with the metaphor of a computer shutting down and the screen going blank to describe the current geopolitical situation. He balances the emphasis on the threat (Trump’s politics, Russian imperialism) with a call to remain calm and recognize positive opportunities within the crisis.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is participating in a debate on a matter of national importance initiated by the Foreign Affairs Committee, which demonstrates active engagement in strategic foreign policy discussions. He/She refers to previous involvement in shaping foreign policy, having helped draft Jüri Luik's 1994 speech.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is primarily aimed at the "old West" and European countries who have shattered European unity due to internal political reasons and have failed to provide arms assistance quickly enough. Russia is also indirectly criticized for its aggressive imperialist policy, as is the US (Trump) team for dismantling the post-World War II world order.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker stresses the importance of maintaining European unity and views Estonia as a partner with a more substantial role, helping to articulate European interests in the new volatile environment. He criticizes European states that undermine this unity for domestic political reasons.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly international and geopolitical, addressing Estonia's position within NATO and the EU, as well as its relations with the US, Russia, and China. The regional security zone that Estonia has sought to build stretches from Narva, through Ukraine, all the way to the Adriatic Sea.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic considerations are indirect and tied to security, underscoring the necessity of getting the defense industry adequately up and running. He criticizes previous Western policy, which financed accommodation with the great-power imperialism gaining strength in the East. He also raises the question of whether Europe can shoulder the astronomical costs (or price tag).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social issues are not directly covered, but the address is heavily focused on values, stressing the importance of preserving and promoting the principles of democracy, freedom, responsibility, and peace.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
There are no specific legislative priorities. The focus is on the strategic foreign policy direction, ensuring security, and increasing Estonia's role in shaping the new world order.
3 Speeches Analyzed