September 1, 2014
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
Estonian Americans applaud your upcoming visit to Estonia and hope that it signifies not only symbolic, but increased tangible U.S. support to the Baltic countries, Poland, and of course, Ukraine.
The protection that comes with being a NATO member is vital to its newest partners, and U.S. involvement and support in demonstrating this support is welcome and necessary. We were pleased to hear that the White House has reaffirmed its commitment to the security of all NATO members. The establishment of permanent NATO bases in the Baltic countries and Poland would provide further significant deterrence to Russian aggression in their region. In view of Russia’s actions, NATO should consider any previous agreements with Russia regarding NATO bases to be null and void. Only a convincing display of U.S. and NATO power will cause Russia to refrain from further acts of aggression.
Additionally, if Ukraine loses this war started by Russia because Europe and the U.S. refuse to supply Ukraine with adequate military weapons, equipment, and aid, Vladimir Putin will likely see his way clear to continue on with other military conquests, irregardless of additional economic and other sanctions the West might impose. The tactic of diplomacy combined with providing only non-lethal military aid to Ukraine for fear of antagonizing Putin is not working. We urge you to support Ukraine in this war with all needed military assistance!
Finally, we urge you to convince France to stop the sale of the Mistral warships to Russia. The upcoming NATO summit provides the opportunity for creative solutions to this issue, including the purchase of the warships by NATO, or providing economic recompense to France in some other way.
We look forward to your remarks in Estonia, and to a forceful and decisive US pre-sence at the NATO summit in Wales.
With best wishes,
Marju Rink-Abel
President, Estonian American National Council, Inc.
cc: Secretary of State
