“Russia cannot be trusted: has not given up on restoring its former empire”

The Diplomat “Helping Ukraine means protecting all of Europe. Investing in Ukraine's defense capabilities is investing in the security of all Europe,” said Estonian Ambassador to Spain, Andres Rundu, during the reception he hosted to commemorate the 107th anniversary of the proclamation of independence of this Baltic republic. The Estonian ambassador based his support for the Ukrainian resistance on his country's experience in negotiating its independence with Moscow. He recalled that the peace of Tartu (1920) “was achieved thanks to success on the battlefield, which made it possible to expel Soviet troops from Estonian territory after two years of fighting.” “Russia cannot be trusted: the Kremlin has not given up its ambitions to restore its former empire,” added Rundu, for whom ”a lasting peace will only be possible from a position of defensive strength on the part of Ukraine.” Therefore, he called for “the unity of all partners and allies” so that Ukraine can “defend its sovereignty, its territorial integrity and the values we share” based on the principle of 'peace through strength'. In the field of bilateral relations, Rundu highlighted the military cooperation currently carried out by the Spanish Armed Forces to protect the Baltic airspace and the “very successful” visit made by King Felipe VI in June last year to these units. The Estonian ambassador assured that relations between the two countries are “increasingly closer”, although he still found “room for improvement in the promotion of economic relations”. On the other hand, he was pleased that “the interest of Spaniards in the electronic residency program in Estonia is increasing”, as well as the interest of tourists from both countries to visit the other country, although, he added, “there is still some way to go to reach the pre-pandemic indicators”. [caption id="attachment_109322" align="alignnone" width="750"] Welcome by the Ambassador of North Macedonia, Edmond Ademi.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_109327" align="alignnone" width="750"] The Ambassador of Moldova, Eugeniu Revenco (second from left), together with representatives of the Embassy of Romania, from left to right, Raluca Talos, Raluca Mihaila, and Florin Vlad.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_109330" align="alignnone" width="750"] From left to right, the ambassadors of Lithuania, Germany and Korea.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_109334" align="alignnone" width="750"] Femininity was very well represented at the reception.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_109336" align="alignnone" width="750"] From left to right, representatives of Romania, Norway, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Serbia.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_109338" align="alignnone" width="750"] The Estonian goalkeeper of Real Club de Fútbol Valladolid, Karl Jakob Hein, and his girlfriend were the guests of honor at the reception.[/caption]

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