DOD News:

Estonia is a NATO frontline state sharing a 183-mile border with Russia. In fact, Estonia was one of the “captive nations” of the Soviet Union — annexed by Soviet Dictator Josef Stalin as part of his deal with German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler that started World War II in Europe. 

Austin said the meeting comes at a timely moment. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war of choice is eight months old and while the Ukrainian military has more than held its own against the far larger foe, more needs to be done.  

Putin has turned his weapons on the civilian population of Ukraine seeking to terrorize men, women and children in the cities of the nation. “We’ve seen renewed and cruel Russian attacks and nations of goodwill everywhere have spoken out against Putin’s atrocities, his irresponsible rhetoric and sham attempts to annex parts of sovereign Ukraine territory,” Austin said.

That unity against Russian aggression is real. Austin pointed to the most recent Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting last week in Brussels as an example. “At that meeting, you and I saw firsthand the deep commitment and resolve of our allies and partners who are standing up for Ukraine’s right to defend itself,” the secretary said. “We are deeply grateful to Estonia, Mr. Minister, and our other NATO allies for their contributions to Ukraine’s fight to defend itself. We can all see the differences that these efforts are making on the ground and the progress that the Ukrainians have made in their counter offensive.”

Click here to read more