Terras meets U.S. defense committee chairmen
Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Riho Terras, is currently on a working visit to the United States, where he met with the chairmen of both the Senate and the House of Representatives’ defense committes on Wednesday.
The EDF’s press office reported that Terras met with Senator John McCain. Their discussion concentrated on the steps agreed on at this year’s NATO summit in Warsaw, and the assessment of the work that has been done since.
According to Terras, the United States’ position and actions in the matter of the situation in East Ukraine had been the clearest and most decisive within the alliance. “To Estonia it is important that the U.S.’ military presence in the area continues, which is completed by the placement of other allies’ units in the Baltic states and in Poland,” Terras reportedly said in the meeting.
The meetings also discussed the currently ongoing budget debate in Congress, as well as issues relating to NATO’s eastern flank. Terras stressed that Estonia was ready to do everything necessary to accommodate allied troops stationed in its territory, and to offer training opportunities to them.
Terras also expressed satisfaction about the fact that the decision of the Estonian government to spend at least 2% of GDP on national defense, and more if necessary, hadn’t gone unnoticed by NATO’s largest member.
For the remainder of Terras’ U.S. visit, a meeting is planned with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford. Terras will also participate in a panel discussion in Washington, D.C.
Editor: Editor: Dario Cavegn