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Estonia affirms commitment to ramp up defense spending

...  over the weekend, you reaffirmed Estonia's

commitment to ramping up defense spending, tweeting this photo of a conference call with the British Prime Minister saying security guarantees

must be credible to deter future aggression.

Let's start with that. That was a conference call, as I understand it, attended by leaders from a couple of other Baltic states as well.

[09:10:00]

Firstly, why was it that the Baltic states were not invited to attend that summit in London, out of interest?

ALAR KARIS, ESTONIAN PRESIDENT: Well, it's very difficult to say why, but Prime Minister Starmer also apologize, because it's understandable not all

European countries fit around the table because there are more and 30 of us, but the main thing is to deliver a message to European other countries,

and this is what we did.

And spoke to Prime Minister Starmer and talking about Ukraine's future and also relations between Europe and U.S.

ANDERSON: You have confirmed that you are ready to engage in discussions. You have been very specific about U.S. involvement being absolutely

necessary at this point in terms of security for Ukraine going forward. Correct?

KARIS: Yes, you are absolutely right, because it's important to have this Trans-Atlantic bond and not make it weaker, but make it stronger. That's

why it's also important to mend the relationship between President Zelenskyy and President Trump, because we do find this is important, and

also NATO troops, presence in U.S., presence in Europe is extremely important. We should fight to -- together.

ANDERSON: I have to say, I mean, there will be people listening to you, who understand what you're saying, but will question whether those bonds, those

Trans-Atlantic bonds, that you refer to, still exist or are likely to exist for much longer when you consider where Europe is at with regard this Trump

Administration.

Let me ask you, you spoke to Keir Starmer. It is only becoming a little clearer now what this sort of U.K., Ukraine plan might, sorry, Europe,

Ukraine plan might look like. Were there any specific plans or steps towards peace floated with you and your Baltic colleagues in the call that

you had with the U.K. Prime Minister.

KARIS: I mean, till now, there was only one peace plan. It was Zelenskyy's peace plan. Now my colleagues from France and also prime minister from

U.K., are putting together a new plan, because we do need a plan before we sit behind the table and start talking about peace and starting the

negotiations.

So, it is very early stage, as was mentioned already earlier this program. So, we are keeping our eyes wide open and trying to contribute also to this

peace plan is not -- is at this very moment, is about to develop.

ANDERSON: Yeah, and it is only developing as we speak. And let's just pursue what it might look like. Before we talk about how Estonia might play

a role, there's talk of a one-month truce suggested by the U.K. and France. What might that look like, and is that acceptable, as far as you're

concerned?

KARIS: Well, it's very difficult probably to have a ceasefire for one week, one month even, if we don't have security guarantees, because we do need to

have security guarantees for you, Ukraine. So, this is also should be a part of this plan, otherwise, this won't work.

ANDERSON: OK. What's quite difficult this Monday, given what's happened over the weekend, is to really get one's arms around the detail of any sort

get one's arms around: fully understand an issue or situation

of European plan as it develops. And I, you know, I understand that you are also just looking at any early details at this point.
 

There are some signs of disunity, it has to be said, not least, between the U.K. Ambassador to Washington and what we are hearing from Keir Starmer,
 

disunity [dɪsˋjunɪtɪ] n. 不统一，不团结

the Prime Minister. Here's the ambassador to Washington, who seems to be diametrically opposed to his Prime Minister.
 

diametrically [͵daɪəˋmɛtrɪk!ɪ] adv. 完全地，完整地

He's absolutely determined that Europe must listen to the United States at this point and take its steer from Washington and the Trump Administration.

Do you agree with Lord Mandelson?
 

Lord [lɔrd] n. 阁下（对贵族或高级官员的尊称）

[09:15:00]

KARIS: Well, you know, we're here. So, as I said, we need this -- psychological bond and these connections and relations, because it has been

a very long relation from the past, so I don't think it's going to break in few days or in new few months. So, we should develop it.

And it is very early stage, and this disagreements between even within the country, is understandable. This is how we build up a new peace agreement,

and this is how it goes.