Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has stated that he will continue to speak out against Russian aggression, particularly in regards to the conflict in Ukraine.
What happened
According to the prime minister, Russia is targeting and killing women and children, and he believes it is essential to raise awareness about these actions. Michal's comments come after reports that US officials had asked the Baltic states to reduce their emphasis on the Russian threat in public statements.
Michal said that he has not received any direct requests from the US to tone down his rhetoric, and instead, has been encouraged by American officials to take the Russian threat seriously and increase defense spending. Estonia has been a strong contributor to security and a security partner for the US, and Michal intends to continue speaking out against Russian aggression.
The prime minister emphasized that pleasing dictators or remaining silent is not a solution, and instead, pressure and support for Ukraine are necessary to force Russian leader Putin to change his objectives. Michal also criticized Putin's actions, stating that he is behaving like a terrorist and targeting critical infrastructure, including electricity, heating, water supplies, and sewage systems.
