United to win: Prague center rallies to support "Estonian plan" for Ukraine aid
Photo: Radio Svoboda
A performance was held in the heart of Prague, on the Old Town Square, in support of Estonia's proposed plan for military aid to Ukraine from the EU.
Radio Svoboda reports this.
According to Michal Meisner, co–organizer of the event at Old Town Square in Prague, the performance's purpose is to show solidarity with the Estonian initiative to allocate at least 0.25% of each EU member state's GDP to aid Ukraine. He believes that these funds would be sufficient to pressure Russia into ending the war, as "it would not be able to sustain it financially."
"The Estonian Ministry of Defense presented its plan back in December or January, suggesting that each country contribute 0.25% of their GDP towards defense, which may seem like a small amount. In total, this would equal 120 billion euros. But our financial capacity is great. They argue that if it becomes difficult to allocate these funds from the budget, other options, such as the financial markets, can be explored, as we have unlimited access to them, unlike Russia. We are very strong financially. It is disheartening to witness how Ukraine, which defends Europe, lacks the necessary resources. They simply do not have the funds. Therefore, the issue is not with supplies but with financing. Estonia believes that the Czech initiative will suffice, but the concern remains about how it will be funded," Meisner explains.
As part of the performance, the activists unfurled the flag of Ukraine, which "attacks" the transport with the image of the "Z-monster," symbolizing the Kremlin regime and the Russian army, which has launched an invasion of Ukraine and is committing massive war crimes.
At the end of the "Z-monster" "overcomes" a banner with the inscription "Estonia's 0.25 GDP plan will stop Russia."
"Czech activists organized this project, and we have joined their cause. Our perspective of Russia is that of a destructive monster, with buildings being crushed in its mouth from the continued bombings by Russians… With support from the "Estonian plan," the flag of the European Union will help drive this monster away from Ukraine," Anastasia Sihnaevska, leader of the "Voice of Ukraine" initiative, explained the concept.
The action in Prague took place against the background of the US House of Representatives passing a $61 billion aid financing package to Ukraine.
For reference:
The Ministry of Defense of Estonia has developed a plan to help Ukraine worth 120 billion euros.
The Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, stated that the military strength of the countries in the coalition supporting Ukraine is 13 times greater than that of Russia. If these countries give Kyiv at least 0.25% of their GDP, it will create a turning point in the war and ensure victory for Ukraine.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Estonia, Kusti Salm, suggested that part of this amount could be financed by Eurobonds, where the European Commission could raise funds from the financial markets, then EU member states would act as guarantors.
Salm emphasized that even if these funds begin to flow to the budgets now, it will take almost a year to ensure supplies to Ukraine at the required level.
He said that with these funds, Ukraine will be able to reach a level where it can resist the Russian Federation by 2025.
