Estonian Social Democrat PM candidate: Don't despair over Russia's demands, act instead
Jonatan Vseviov, the Social Democratic Party's prime ministerial candidate in Estonia, says Russia's demands at the Abu Dhabi talks are nothing new. He argues Europe now needs real deeds and its own decisions, not just slogans.
Russia's dominance of the Abu Dhabi talks is no reason for despair, according to Jonatan Vseviov, the Social Democratic Party (SDE) candidate for Estonian prime minister. Vseviov recently stepped down as Secretary General of Estonia's Foreign Ministry to run in the Riigikogu (Estonian parliament) elections in March 2027. The talks concern Russia's war against Ukraine and the future of European security.
Demands are not new
Vseviov said nothing in Russia's demands is new or surprising. Moscow has voiced them since the start of the war, or even earlier, and they aim not only at Ukraine but at turning Europe's security order upside down. The answer must stay a firm "no", he said, but an empty slogan is no longer enough and real deeds are needed.
The SDE candidate stressed that Europe's security and future depend on no one but itself, even though the United States remains significant. A serious discussion on Europe's security architecture is under way with American participation, he noted, adding that he cannot speak on behalf of the U.S. Based on media reports, the talks have followed Russia's tactical lead, with Russia setting both the range and the order of topics.
In his view, this is not a reason to give up but a lesson: if Europeans want the future to be theirs, they must take action themselves.
Other Estonian voices
German outlet Bild reported on Friday that Russia's proposals for a new European security order, which it wants discussed alongside a Ukraine peace agreement, include demands directly concerning the Baltic states, Finland and Moldova, as well as Ukraine's status.
Marko Mihkelson, a Reform Party MP and chair of the Riigikogu foreign affairs committee, called the Abu Dhabi meeting a "diplomatic special operation" meant to impose Russia's terms. He noted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said outright that Russia has no interest in a ceasefire, as it does not want to give Europe time to regroup.
Diplomat Jüri Luik said European representatives were in Abu Dhabi but were not allowed into the main meeting room and met separately. He argued it is in the EU's interest to find a way for Europe to get a seat at the table.
Colonel Aron Kalmus of the Estonian Defense Forces said the only concrete result of the talks so far is a prisoner exchange, with more than 1,000 people released by each side for the first time.
