Strengthened stance essential before negotiating with Putin, according to Estonian Prime Minister
In a recent commentary, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stressed that firm footing should be established before starting negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This viewpoint isn't tied exclusively to a phone call with US President Donald Trump, but rather, it encapsulates Tsahkna's broader perspective on Russia.
According to various reports, Tsahkna believes that Putin is far from genuine when it comes to negotiations. Instead, Putin tends to engage in tactics like blackmailing and imposing new conditions, rather than seriously discussing potential agreements[1][5]. In his negotiations approach, Tsahkna advocates taking a tougher stance on Russia, including keeping in place the sanctions that were imposed and rallying international support against Russian aggression, especially with regards to Ukraine[1][3][5].
The foreign minister's stance does not seem to have been influenced by his conversation, if any, with Trump about negotiations with Russia. Instead, Tsahkna's concern lies in reinforcing NATO's defense capabilities and maintaining the existing Russian sanctions. In light of potential sanction lifts, Tsahkna has warned about the repercussions this could bring, such as the release of previously frozen Russian assets[3][5].
- Despite his discussions with President Trump, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna advocates a tougher stance on Russian leader Vladimir Putin, citing Putin's questionable negotiating tactics and the need to maintain existing sanctions.
- In his approach to war-and-conflicts, politics, and policy-and-legislation, Tsahkna emphasizes the importance of reinforcing NATO's defense capabilities and opposing Russian aggression, particularly in the context of Ukraine.
- Reportedly, Tsahkna believes that Putin often fails to engage sincerely in negotiations, employing strategies like blackmail and imposition of new conditions instead.
- In the general news, Tsahkna's warnings about the potential consequences of lifting sanctions on Russia, such as the release of frozen Russian assets, have been a subject of ongoing discussions.
