British News Agency

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna made a statement regarding Europe’s past diplomatic and economic relations with Russia.

Responding to suggestions about the possibility of renewed cooperation with Russia, Tsahkna said: “Calls to avoid ‘demonising’ a country that is waging the most brutal war in Europe since the Second World War, and even hints at renewed energy cooperation, are nothing short of horrifying.”

Drawing attention to Europe’s energy dependence and past ‘appeasement’ policies, Tsahkna stated: “Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine is a direct result of years of appeasement policies and decades-long belief that trade would restrain aggression. This belief financed rearmament and locked Europe into an energy dependence that sustained the aggressor’s cash flow.”

Tsahkna concluded his remarks by saying: “Wandel durch Handel (change through trade) has failed. There is no way back.”