My government and my fellow Estonians have contributed in all these ways. The whole country stands united in supporting Ukraine, supporting its men and women on the battlefield, supporting those who chose to stay in Ukraine or who cannot leave, and supporting the women and children who seek refuge in Estonia.
AND I want to say it loud and clear – those people who choose to seek refuge in Estonia – WE WILL take good care of you!
However, I am standing here in front of you also as a man, as a human being. My wife and me. We stand here because it is our choice. It is our choice to support peace, to express solidarity and to stand for freedom.
It is our choice, borne of our conscience, to stand up against tyranny and against Kremlins “choice of war”. During these dark times, our choices are limited – it can only be right or wrong. There is no space for gray areas.
Today we are all here as Ukrainians in our hearts and thoughts – we stand for Ukraine here or at home. No matter where. We are Ukrainians as long as it takes to stop injustice.
There is somebody on this Earth – in the Kremlin – who has dared to take the decision of which country has a right to exist into his own hands. Ukrainians have defied this explicitly – fighting Russian invaders, and defending their freedom and sovereignty.
The global stance regarding the Russian invasion was clearly demonstrated when United Nation members states casted their votes on the resolution regarding “Russian aggression against Ukraine”. One hundred and forty one (141) countries voted in favor of the resolution and condemned Russian aggression. Thus, the international community’s message is crystal clear – Russia, get out of Ukraine!
And this is also our call here today.
Dark times need leadership. Since the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine, we have seen how Ukrainian soldiers fighting for freedom trust their generals, who have become their role models.
The world has also seen how the President has grown into a true leader of his Nation. A Man, who is cherished by the whole world. I speak of President Zelensky.
His video message, some days ago, saying “Good morning my fellow Ukrainians … I am here with you …” is infinitely more powerful than Putin’s shallow attempt to summon the Russian people behind his goal of “demilitarization and denazification” . Putin fails big time as a president and as a leader.
He is neither of those things . As he has said himself: “Once KGB, always KGB”.
I have been in diplomacy for many years, met diplomats around the world, including Russian diplomats. Many of them have family relations in Ukraine. I am confident that not all of them accept Russia’s invasion in their hearts.
In Russian, there is a word “sovest” – conscience (in English). Here is my call to Russian diplomats: find your conscience! Say “No to aggression”, say “No to war” and say “No to killing”.
A few days ago, I called my friend in Ukraine. Given the circumstances, we had a short conversation. At the end he said, we (Ukraine) will win this war and agreed to meet in Kiev, in a sovereign Ukraine. I very much look forward to that day.
I helping make that day come true, I would also like to express my support and appreciation for the actions Canadian government has taken. Canada and Estonia are allies, like-minded countries with the same understanding of what is happening around Ukraine, who is the aggressor and who is defending its sovereignty.
Finally, … I am going to say two words you all know. And you know the response. I am asking you to respond to these words with all your strength and as one – your clear and resolute voice that reaches the Kremlin’s walls and delivers our message of commitment and resolve:
SLAVA UKRAINE! SLAVA GEROJAM!
