Riho Terras
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · EE
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, we have entered an era in which global powers compete for the sphere of influence – Russia and China first and foremost. The aim of the European Union cannot be anything less than to prevent European countries from falling under the control of autocracies.”
“Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, it has been almost four years of Russian full-scale war against Ukraine. I see no end to this soon. Global developments around us place increasing responsibilities on European countries to ensure their own security and defence.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has changed the battlefield permanently. We have witnessed incredibly fast development of the field of drone warfare. This applies to both offensive and defensive measures. Drone warfare means also more challenges and tasks for the European Union.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, today's debate is very timely. We need to ramp up Europe's defence capability faster and this is an existential task. The combat capability of our armed forces must be at the centre of our efforts.”
“Madam President, colleagues, the initial White House capitulation plan prepared by Russia, which completely and shamelessly ignores dozens of rules of international law, cannot be the basis for a realistic negotiations. Europe's future cannot be decided without Europe. Ukraine's destiny cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
“Mr President, it is no secret that Russia finances its war of aggression against Ukraine by selling fossil fuels. Dependence on Russian gas and oil is a chronic disease for many European countries. Many third countries see this as an opportunity to buy blood gas and oil at a below market price.”
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Every one of 23 lines we hold for Riho Terras, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, we have entered an era in which global powers compete for the sphere of influence – Russia and China first and foremost. The aim of the European Union cannot be anything less than to prevent European countries from falling under the control of autocracies. Enlargement is the most optimal way to avoid grey areas in Europe. It is absolutely clear that if we do not provide our own security and our own way of life, it will be filled by competitors. To those sceptics who think that Europe cannot expand any further, I can assure you that that is not true. Enlargement has indeed been the European Union's greatest success story. 2-0447-0000”
“But we must prove that we take our part of the deal seriously. Our primary task is to invest in our defence and increase Europe's military readiness. 2-0113-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, it has been almost four years of Russian full-scale war against Ukraine. I see no end to this soon. Global developments around us place increasing responsibilities on European countries to ensure their own security and defence. Europe must primarily focus on increasing its defence budgets and developing its industry, to such an extent that we can build up defence capabilities ready to deal with the threat facing us. If NATO's European allies reached 5 % commitment today we would have more than EUR 1.2 trillion in defence spendings all together. We have to spend this money wisely. Today, there are no signs of NATO disintegration. The majority of US decision-makers I met last week consider NATO and security cooperation with Europe to be vital to US interests.”
“The EU should launch its drone defence through pilot projects first involving Member States bordering Russia. Acting on a smaller scale and faster will certainly help validate larger projects and contribute to the overall defence of Europe. 4-0045-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has changed the battlefield permanently. We have witnessed incredibly fast development of the field of drone warfare. This applies to both offensive and defensive measures. Drone warfare means also more challenges and tasks for the European Union. Our ultimate goal is to protect our people. To achieve this, we must be prepared both doctrinally and technologically. Drone warfare is yet another area where we are lagging far behind in terms of competitiveness. I am convinced that when it comes to drone countermeasures, we should proceed from the principle of so-called technological neutrality and develop all capabilities, both electronic and kinetic, which, when combined, will provide more effective drone defence.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, today's debate is very timely. We need to ramp up Europe's defence capability faster and this is an existential task. The combat capability of our armed forces must be at the centre of our efforts. We must make sure we achieve well-functioning funding of the defence industry from the banking and capital market sector. The next MFF must also adequately reflect the security situation and establish stable long-term defence financing for the EU. The same goes for the European Competitiveness Fund – the ECF should include dedicated financing for defence. I would also like to stress that the military mobility budget should be used for defence infrastructure projects only. There should be no space for creativity and gambling in that sense.”
“Madam President, colleagues, the initial White House capitulation plan prepared by Russia, which completely and shamelessly ignores dozens of rules of international law, cannot be the basis for a realistic negotiations. Europe's future cannot be decided without Europe. Ukraine's destiny cannot be decided without Ukraine. It is time for European countries, in cooperation with Ukraine, to propose just, permanent and lasting peace. This could be a coalition of the willing plus non-European countries if there is no consensus for joint EU action. This House must urge Presidents von der Leyen and Costa to work out a way to use frozen Russian assets immediately. And needless to say, all Member States must stop financing the Russian war machine. 3-0082-0000”
“Mr President, it is no secret that Russia finances its war of aggression against Ukraine by selling fossil fuels. Dependence on Russian gas and oil is a chronic disease for many European countries. Many third countries see this as an opportunity to buy blood gas and oil at a below market price. We all remember the consequences of the recent energy crisis that was very much based on dependency from Russian sources. The European Union, together with the United States, must take stronger actions to encourage third countries to stop financing the Russian war machine. Needless to say, there is no place for Russian gas and oil in Europe. We must not tolerate the fact that the EU Member States pay Russia to kill innocent Ukrainian people. 3-0519-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, today we have no idea if, and when, the meeting between President Trump and the leader of the Russian regime will take place. But there is no doubt that neither Europe nor Ukraine needs such a meeting. The possibility to hold this meeting on the territory of a European Union Member State is yet another example of how Mr Orbán continues to ignore the sanctions imposed on the aggressor. Yesterday, we again discussed the frozen Russian assets. We need to stop discussing – it is vital to get the reparation loan mechanism up and running as soon as possible, to demonstrate Europe's continued support for Ukraine. We must make it clear that Russia has to pay the bill of the war it started. Slava Ukraini! 3-0302-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, there is no doubt that Russia is already waging war against Europe. The measures that they use to test us are all part of the Russian toolbox. We have witnessed an increasing number of airspace violations by Russian drones and military aircraft recently. The way Russia is testing and mapping our response is a clear signal that they are calculating the option of military aggression against the whole of Europe. Today, Europe still lacks a sense of urgency. The fact that this is an existential threat is not understood completely all over Europe. It is our paramount task to demonstrate unity, resilience, strong resolve and more military capabilities. To achieve this, we must invest more in defence and boost the defence-industrial capacity. 3-0074-0000”
“Mitmed Venemaaga piirnevad liikmesriigid on viie protsendi tasemele väga lähedal või selle juba saavutanud. Paraku ei piisa, kui suured ja jõukad riigid eeskuju ei järgi. Kui Eesti paneb järgmisel aastal kaitsekulutusse 5,4 protsenti SKTst, siis peavad panustama viis protsenti ka Hispaania ja Itaalia. Ka Eesti pensionärid ja lapsed vajavad toetust. Aitäh teile! 3-0050-0000”
“Lugupeetav eesistuja! Kõrge esindaja! Head kolleegid! NATO tippkohtumise õnnestumine sõltub sellest, kas kõik liikmesriigid saavad üheselt aru, et Venemaa kujutab Euroopale eksistentsiaalset ohtu. Lisaks Vene ohule on laiem julgeolekupilt muutunud väga tumedaks. Selleks et meid ümbritsevaid ohte tõrjuda, tuleb kõikidel liitlastel panustada oluliselt enam. Viis protsenti SKPst võis olla paar aastat tagasi täiesti ulmeline eesmärk, kuid täna on see reaalselt vajalik selleks, et tagada meie heidutus ja kaitse. Selle eesmärgi saavutamisega on kiire. Ei piisa sellest, kui riigipead ja valitsusjuhid lepivad kokku viie protsendi taseme saavutamise 2030. aastaks. See eesmärk tuleb saavutada oluliselt varem, eelistatavalt juba järgmisel aastal.”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, once again we need to discuss the situation concerning Russian oil and gas. It is no secret that the blue‑eyed hope that Russia can be contained and somehow integrated through economic ties was, and still is, a complete delusion. Russia used its oil and gas to plant the seed of complacency, a false sense of security to many European countries. Those who did not see through this corrupt and perverted plan are obviously in self‑denial mode, finding excuses. The profits from Russian oil and gas are used to kill Ukrainian people every day. The profits from Russian oil and gas are used to build the military power that will be used against the European Union and NATO one day. There is no place for Russian energy sources in Europe. There is no place for Nord Stream. 1-0300-0000”
“Madam President, High Representative, the European response to the existential threat from Russia has been insufficient for too long. I wish I could say that our focus has shifted, and we have a common understanding with regard to the security and defence. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Even today, when there is no doubt that Russia's aim is to destroy our security architecture; even today, when the signals from across the Atlantic are absolutely clear that we must invest in our own defence ourselves; even today, we have countries in Europe that spend less than 2 % on defence, there are countries that spend less than 1 % and saying that they are neutral. We do not have time to play with the option to spend or not to spend. We should agree upon the Union-wide mandatory minimum for defence spending. 2-0207-0000”
“Since the beginning of the full-scale war of aggression, we have witnessed much weaker economic performance, GDP growth, trade, increased caution on foreign investors, decreased transportation and tourism. It is therefore absolutely necessary that we put our common resources where they are needed most. We need more investments to our border security. We need more funds and support to avoid our economies falling into a development trap. 3-0336-0000”
“Madam President, there is no doubt that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has significantly affected all European Member States. At the same time, it is evident that the effects of the war have a much stronger influence on the countries bordering the aggression from Russia and Belarus. We are facing far more serious difficulties with regard to hybrid threats like using migration as a weapon, information and cyberattacks, and attacks on our infrastructure as you heard in the last weeks. in the light of the threat from Russia, the EU Member States bordering with aggression have increased their defence expenditures remarkably, up to 5 % of their GDP.”
“Mr President, I am truly astonished at the hypocrisy and the lies that our left-leaning colleagues are cultivating in this House. Or should I say, I'm not that surprised. There is no doubt that with the Socialists and Greens pushing their ideology-driven agendas, Europe will not win. It will never happen. We are in the middle of the most serious crisis that Europe has faced after the Second World War. And what we hear from the Socialists and Greens is that somehow we, the Christian Democrats and the Conservatives, are endangering Europe's competitiveness. This is a lie, which has no foundation at all. You are more than happy and eager to cooperate with the radicals should it comply with your ideology. Politics is not about pushing your ideology. It's about listening to the people. Being realistic and sensible. 3-0190-0000”
“Mr President, Ukraine still stands. After ten years, this nation, the people of Ukraine have demonstrated extraordinary courage and resolution against a much larger and military capable enemy. What has Europe done? Far too little. Europe should be ashamed how little we have delivered to Ukraine. Now, more than ever, Europe must act and contribute 0.25 % of the GDP to Ukraine. It should not be a slogan. It must be an achievable goal. It is not just a moral obligation for us to help Ukraine. It is for our own security so that Europe can build up its defence before it is too late. Europe must stand its ground and not let Russia or Americans or whoever make deals without our say. We need to unite. We need more actions in helping Ukraine, in saving Europe. Slava Ukraini! 2-0142-0000”
“I am also glad that the Frontex is preparing to open a permanent base in Estonia and increase its presence along the EU's eastern borders to combat migration. 4-0191-0000 Brīvais mikrofons 4-0192-0000”
“Mr President, colleagues, authoritarian regimes surrounding the Union have used migration as a tool to impose political and economic pressure. The Member States and the eastern flank have been under pressure from the Russian regime and confronted with immigration attacks for several years now. It is our united and coordinated task to defend our borders against the attempts of weaponized migration and stop the illegal immigration entering the EU. I strongly support more EU‑funded initiatives to strengthen our external borders and the use of the EU budget to build fences, as Commissioner Brunner mentioned, I support very much. We need to invest to improve physical infrastructure as well as into innovative solutions.”
“Madam President, colleagues, now more than ever, we must do and not only declare, and strengthen our security and defence. We need to follow a basic principle: put money where your mouth is. There is no threat more existential than the threat to our security. And there is no other way to handle it than to do it the united way. The only way we can really step up against the hostile actors in the East is to invest in our defence capabilities. The 2 % of GDP was yesterday. It was a peacetime minimum. Today, we are at war, even if some people are having difficulties to admit it. The EU Member States on the eastern flank have increased their defence spending dramatically. Some countries are paying close to 5 % of GDP today. I believe there must be a Union‑wide benchmark established for all members to demonstrate unity.”
“We need to use technology and an out‑of‑the‑box approach to stand up against this nasty threat! 2-0354-0000 PREDSEDÁ: MARTIN HOJSÍK Podpredseda 2-0355-0000”
“Mr President, Executive Vice‑President, dear colleagues, over the last year and a half there have been a number of incidents and underwater critical infrastructure was damaged by commercial vessels in the Baltic Sea. These are acts of covert war, dear colleagues, and not isolated mishaps, as some have recently speculated. Russia has identified our underwater critical infrastructure as one of the main weak points – our Achilles heel. Russian politicians have publicly bragged that this sea is the new face of a war, and we should live with it. We cannot accept this kind of behaviour. In addition to NATO operations, the EU should step up as well. One of the possible protective measures could be voluntary acceptance of cameras on the captain's deck, for instance.”