During my visit to D.C., I had many good meetings on the Hill with Senators and Representatives.
The meetings focused on the global threat landscape and security, including defence cooperation between Estonia and the U.S. and supporting Ukraine.
Here's a recap: 1/
With the Senate Republican leadership @LeaderMcConnell, @SenJohnThune and others @SenateGOP, we focused on the need to send a strong signal that aggression does not pay off. I outlined what Estonia and Europe are doing to support Ukraine and bolster our own defence. 2/
There's no threat that can't be overcome together with allies. We discussed the global conflicts, the use of Russian frozen assets to help Ukraine, security on NATO's eastern flank, and more with @SenatorCardin, @SenatorShaheen, @JerryMoran, @ChrisVanHollen, @SenBooker. 3/
Glad to meet @SenatorWicker to discuss the threats facing NATO and the Allies.
The Baltic Security Initiative is crucial for defending every inch of NATO and deterring Russia.
There's no substitute for increasing defense spending. The cost of not doing so would be higher. 4/
In-depth discussion with @JDVance1 about security – from the Baltics to Ukraine, to the Middle East and beyond – and about boosting industrial our growth.
Transatlantic security and economic security depend on helping Ukraine win. The sooner that happens, the less it’ll cost 5/
Had a good meeting with @ChuckGrassley.
Senator Grassley is one of the closest allies of Estonia and the Baltic countries in the Senate. A champion of freedom and a true gentleman.
Thank you for your strong friendship. 6/
Met with a group of Estonia’s closest friends @RepDonBacon, @RepRubenGallego, @CongressmanKean, @USRepKeating, @RepJoeWilson, @RepNateMoran.
The Baltic Security Initiative is an investment both into European security and into American manufacturing. Grateful for your support. 7/
Good discussion with @SenAmyKlobuchar.
We talked about the global security situation and countering disinformation from malign actors. 8/
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Brick by brick, we are collapsing the foundations of Russia's war economy.
Today, we are presenting our proposals for a 21st sanctions package against Russia.
This includes a temporary freeze of the Russian oil price cap and designations of institutions used by Moscow to generate revenues and circumvent EU sanctions.
It will target banks, weapons manufacturers, oil traders, refineries, and crypto operators in third countries.
We are intensifying our sanctions efforts against individuals and entities that enable Russia’s war against Ukraine.
As part of this package, my services are putting forward the largest set of listings in over two years, with over 170 proposals, notably on the financial sector, energy and drones’ production.
This comes on top of 81 listings that the Foreign Affairs Council will adopt next week, targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, its military-industrial complex, human rights violators, and propagandists.
We are depriving Russia of the means to fund its war.
We intend to deal a heavy blow to Russia’s financial sector, imposing assets freezes on close to 90 banks and additional transactions bans on over 30 banks in Russia and other third countries.
We will also tighten our ban for crypto-asset services to certain third countries, add new designations, and ban transactions on 11 crypto platforms.
Russia continues to answer diplomacy with missiles.
We are determined to make that choice painfully expensive.
Today, we present our 20th sanctions package.
Sanctions severely hurt Russia’s economy. And every sanction chips away at its capacity for war.
Moscow is not invincible. On the battlefield, its army is stalling. At home, its economy is cracking.
More pressure, together with our partners, and increased military support to Ukraine can shorten this war.
Russia’s war machine runs on energy sales.
We must cut them off.
We propose sanctioning dozens of companies in Russia’s energy sector, as well as those in Russia and abroad enabling the operations of its shadow fleet, including port terminals, whilst adding more than 40 vessels to our list.
We also want to prohibit maintenance services for Russian LNG tankers and icebreakers. This will severely hinder their ability to operate smoothly.
We aim to change the rules on the oil price cap to enable a future full ban on maritime services.
Russia’s war begins in its military factories.
Breaking Russia’s military industrial base and its international supply chains is a means to end it.
Over 40 companies in Russia and in third countries are proposed for “full-fledged sanctions” to further disrupt Russia’s production lines.
We are also tabling new export restrictions and bans on materials and technologies such as laboratory glassware, chemicals, rubber, and tools for metal production; and stronger export controls related to over 50 companies in Russia and abroad.
For the first time, we propose to activate our Anti-Circumvention Tool on one country to prevent sensitive products finding their way to Russia.
In Canada, we reaffirmed our support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity.
We commended Ukraine’s commitment to an immediate ceasefire.
Russia must now reciprocate on equal terms. If not, we could impose further sanctions and caps on oil prices (1/3)
We also expressed our support for the people of Syria and condemned strongly the escalation of violence in the coastal regions.
We called for the rejection of terrorism, for the protection of civilians and for perpetrators of atrocities to be held accountable. (2/3)
There are growing risks to maritime security, including threats to freedom of navigation.
In Charlevoix, we also reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to contribute towards a free, open, and secure maritime domain, in line with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. (3/3)
Sovereignty, territorial integrity and discrediting aggression as a tool of statecraft are crucial principles that must be upheld in case of Ukraine and globally.
These principles are essential for just and lasting peace. 1/
That is why I’m concerned about so-called peace plans and initiatives that ignore the core UN Charter principles.
We cannot treat Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as somewhat secondary.
Without these core principles we cannot achieve a just and lasting peace. 2/
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has lasted for ten years. For the bigger part of it, the world ignored it.
Some hoped back then and are hoping right now that territorial concessions to the aggressor would bring peace. But it will not. 3/