NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that supporting Ukraine is “not just the morally right thing to do,” but is “also in our own security interest.”

Stoltenberg spoke at a news conference alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in Tallinn, to mark the anniversary of the Estonian Declaration of Independence and the first anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

"Some worry our support to Ukraine will trigger escalation. But there are no risk-free options and the biggest risk of all is if President Putin wins, because the message to him and other authoritarian leaders would be that they can use force to get what they want. That will make the world more dangerous and more vulnerable," Stoltenberg said.Drawing a line from the past to the present, the NATO head told the Estonian people that “your history is a strong reminder that we cannot take our freedom for granted.”

Freedom is not for free. We must fight for it every day.” Stoltenberg urged.

“Today it is the Ukrainian people who are bravely fighting for their freedom. And despite a dark year of despair and destruction, their determination and courage will no doubt prevail,” he added.