On February 22, the ICDS was pleased to host US Ambassador George P. Kent for an open table discussion, moderated by Indrek Kannik of the ICDS, on various topics ranging from the Russian-Ukraine war, Estonian-US relations, Chinese foreign policy, and NATO. The talk brought together members of Estonia’s news media, government officials, and ICDS fellows.
Ambassador Kent argued that recent speeches, diplomatic decision, and military moves by president Putin represented a largely cynical and norms-breaking track record of the president. The likelihood for peace, or a ceasefire, were discussed at length with the Ambassador expressing his view that both prospects remain unlikely in the near-term, and highly undesirable in the case of any deal that cedes Ukrainian lands to Russia leaving the prospect for a protracted long-term conflict the most likely medium-term outcome. The ambassador reiterated the oft-repeated US position that Ukraine will not be pushed into negotiations or peace settlements by its Western backers. The role of NATO, and an updated defense plan incorporating the expected ascension of Finland and Sweden, were mentioned as key elements in insulating front-line NATO states, like Estonia, from future Russian aggression.
Conversations involving US-Estonian cooperation in economic, political, and social spheres focused on the importance of high-tech trade in 5G components. With the aim of further developing the secure digital and communication infrastructures of the two states. Ambassador Kent highlighted the increased cooperation in bi-lateral training of cyber security law enforcement professionals as an area of interest for further cooperation. As well as the importance of robust people-to-people exchanges between the two allies.
On subjects related to Chinese foreign policy, the ambassador addressed recent reports of Chinese preparations to supply material aid to Russia’s war effort. He asserted that no definitive decision had probably been made by the Chinese side, but that the situation was fluid and would further develop in the weeks ahead.
The conversation concluded with the key take-away of a probable prolonged conflict in Ukraine, that the Ambassador argued, must continue to be faced down by the collective West. He stated that when dealing with a Russian bully, appeasement and hiding must be resolutely rejected and the bully firmly confronted.
