Defence, spiralling power costs and EU enlargement look set to prime the agenda as Europe's leaders maintain talks on the Palace of Versailles close to Paris.
The 2-day summit is symbolic in that it presents the bloc one other likelihood to indicate its sturdy solidarity with Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the nation.
Away from the symbolism, nevertheless, there can be a variety of clear priorities. Most notably, enhance safety and power independence within the face of Moscow's aggression.
EU leaders are additionally more likely to talk about the opportunity of additional sanctions towards the Kremlin, although they are going to be aware of the potential hurt this might do to their very own economies nonetheless making an attempt to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
One EU nation arguably extra uncovered than others to the continuing struggle in Ukraine - given it shares a border with Russia - is Estonia.
Euronews' Efi Koutsokosta spoke to the nation's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
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Efi Koutsokosta, Euronews:
Prime Minister, let me get straight to the purpose. You are amongst a number of the leaders strongly advocating larger navy presence in your borders. Are you afraid that possibly you’re subsequent if Putin succeeds in Ukraine?
Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia:
"The right query can be is NATO subsequent when Putin succeeds in Ukraine? We're a part of NATO, so we've got Article 5 in NATO that claims an assault on one is an assault on all, which implies that if we're attacked, then it additionally implies that the US or France or Germany is attacked. And I believe that is too large a chew even for Russia to take. So, we're not afraid, however we're getting ready. We've in NATO to date, the deterrence posture. However now we've got to maneuver to the defence plan, how we actually are able to defend when or if it needs to be essential."
...an assault on one is an assault on all...And I believe that is too large a chew even for Russia to take.
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Efi Koutsokosta, Euronews:
"However is the danger of the battle in Ukraine spilling over into Europe a actuality?"
Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia:
"In fact we're, I imply, making an attempt to assist Ukraine with all of the attainable implies that we've got to ensure that them to guard and defend their very own nation. And our objective is to finish this struggle and do all the pieces that this struggle is stopped and it does not go any additional. In fact, none of us can see into the long run - what is correct or what's a fallacious determination alongside the way in which. However that is what we attempt to do, to finish this struggle in Ukraine and naturally, that it does not spillover."
Efi Koutsokosta, Euronews:
"You stated already within the European Parliament that the EU has an ethical responsibility to make Ukraine a member state. However why? How would an EU candidacy assist Ukraine in the course of the struggle?"
Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia:
"I stated that we have to give Ukraine European perspective. We have to give Ukraine hope. They're actually combating for Europe. So, we must also give them a tangible trajectory to, you recognize, be a part of our European household. And that is what we are going to debate as properly. In fact, it does not occur in a single day. I imply, there are steps on the way in which. We've carried out this, so we all know very a lot from the observe. However I believe Europe advantages from a extra affluent, extra steady, extra rule of law-oriented Ukraine."
Efi Koutsokosta, Euronews:
"However not your whole colleagues even have the identical urge for food for such an enlargement proper now. Should not this be clearly spelt out to the Ukrainians, fairly than empty guarantees?"
Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia:
"We should not give empty guarantees. That is for certain, however to re-emphasise and provides some tangible steps on the way in which to present hope to the Ukrainians. I imply, as a result of hope offers additionally energy. Subsequently, I believe it is our ethical responsibility to present that hope. , it is the least we will do."
Efi Koutsokosta, Euronews:
"We have seen throughout this disaster the EU taking unprecedented sanctions towards Russia and being very united with allies, however how additional measures can the EU afford to take? And what's on the desk proper now?"
Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia:
"That is true that Europe has been very united and really fast additionally in appearing and placing collectively the sanctions. I imply, Europe has not been a very nimble organisation to date. So I believe we've got shocked Putin. We've shocked the world, however we've got additionally shocked ourselves being so sturdy and fast on this. Now it is already the fourth bundle on prime of these sanctions that had been in place already from 2014. So after all, we're exploring, you recognize, further methods to place extra strain on the struggle machine of Putin and to take the funds out of this struggle machine in order that he cannot proceed with this struggle. The sanctions are hurting, however we additionally want strategic persistence to ensure that the sanctions to kick in and actually have their impact."
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"However what's the worth that EU residents need to pay for all this? What would you say to them?"
"Properly, one may say that fuel may be costly, however freedom is priceless. I imply, I am coming from a rustic the place we did not have freedom. I imply, I used to be born within the Soviet Union. I do know very properly what it means. It's stated that you simply perceive the worth of freedom when it is taken from you. In order that's why it's extremely arduous to elucidate to these international locations or these individuals who have not skilled this within the first place. However after all, it'll be arduous and we've got to be trustworthy with our residents as properly that the arduous occasions lay forward. And to date, I believe we've got been, our discussions within the European Union and have been centered on, you recognize, actually concentrating on the struggle machine of Putin and never hurting the folks a lot as a result of we additionally want the folks's help behind the choices. And whether it is for the folks one thing that they cannot tolerate, it is also arduous to maintain the sanctions up."
"Prime Minister, did this battle set off tensions inside your nation, given that there's a Russian talking minority that for years has been complaining that it was not handled equally."
"These complaints haven't been, not too long ago so vocal. We've like 300,000 Russian audio system, however they don't seem to be a homogeneous group. Majority of them are Estonian residents and in addition really feel the emotional tie with Estonia. Proper now, attributable to this struggle, we even have the Ukrainian minority. So, we see tensions between these teams and we've got to be very tentative about [whom] we speak about you recognize: it is Putin's struggle and it is the Kremlin who's doing this, not Russian audio system, we will not put an equation mark [equals sign] between Putin and the Russian folks, and we've got to maintain this separate."
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