European nations may need to deploy military forces to Ukraine to secure a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, suggested Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna in an interview with the Financial Times.
Tsahkna proposed the idea as part of broader European efforts to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty in light of the country’s aspirations to join NATO, a goal endorsed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Tsahkna’s comments come amid concerns over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential return to power and his stated intention to quickly end the war.
Trump’s approach has raised fears in Europe that he could pressure Kyiv into accepting an unfavorable peace deal, potentially tied to reduced U.S. military aid.
“Ukraine’s most secure future lies within NATO,” said Tsahkna. However, he acknowledged that if U.S. opposition to Ukraine’s NATO membership persisted, Europe would need to step up.
This could include deploying a coalition of willing European states to provide security guarantees and prevent further Russian aggression.
European Security Talks Gain Urgency
The urgency of discussions among Ukraine’s European allies has intensified as Trump’s potential influence looms over the war’s outcome.
Tsahkna indicated that a European-led coalition, potentially spearheaded by Poland and the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force—which includes Nordic and Baltic states and the Netherlands—might play a pivotal role.
These nations, already significant contributors to Kyiv’s military defense, are set to meet in Tallinn next month to refine their strategies.
Tsahkna emphasized that the inclusion of France and Germany, key donors to Ukraine, would be critical in building a robust coalition.
He warned of the risks tied to securing Ukraine’s future without U.S. support, highlighting the potential for NATO forces to become entangled in direct confrontations with Russia.
The Estonian minister also expressed concerns about the broader implications of a Russian victory, which he argued could embolden the Kremlin to target other nations, including the Baltic states.
Defense Spending Debate Intensifies
Estonia, one of NATO’s strongest advocates for increased defense spending, has called for the alliance to adopt a higher minimum threshold of 2.5% of GDP, up from the current 2%, at next year’s NATO summit in The Hague. Estonia itself allocates 3.4% of its GDP to defense, a figure achieved through tax increases.
Tsahkna criticized countries reluctant to boost defense budgets, dismissing claims that such spending is politically unviable. “We cannot wait for U.S. decisions,” he said, urging Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security.
Preparing for a Post-Trump NATO
Despite concerns over Trump’s foreign policy, Tsahkna expressed confidence that he would not abandon NATO, arguing that such a move would harm U.S. interests and leave Europe exposed to Russian imperialism.
Nevertheless, he stressed that Europe must demonstrate its commitment to the alliance by increasing defense investments and bolstering industrial capacity to replenish weapons stockpiles.
Tsahkna called on Britain, as a key NATO member, to lead efforts in rallying European nations to support Ukraine’s security and resist Moscow’s ambitions.
“Ukraine is NATO’s first line of defense,” he asserted, urging swift and decisive action from European leaders.
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