Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a television interview that the restriction of internet access in Russia may be related to mobilization for an attack on the Baltic states. In Tallinn, Zelensky was accused of fueling Russian narratives.
Does Zelensky Distrust NATO?
In a Sunday interview with the national telethon, Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that Russia is blocking the internet not to suppress government criticism but to prevent discontent that could arise from the planned large-scale mobilization. According to the President of Ukraine, the goal of the mobilization is a massive attack on Ukraine or the Baltic states.
Zelensky expressed doubts when answering a question about whether NATO would invoke Article 5 on collective defense in the event of an attack on the Baltic states.
"I think that perhaps not all countries will want to support [the Baltics], but in my opinion, NATO countries have no choice - otherwise NATO will no longer exist," Zelensky said.
I Don’t Believe It!
The Estonian Foreign Minister stated that they have no data on Russia preparing to attack the Baltic states, as Zelensky claimed.
"Firstly, such statements do not correspond to our intelligence data, our threat assessment. We do not see Russia concentrating its troops or preparing in any way to attack NATO or the Baltic states; quite the opposite. Russia is not in a very strong position on the Ukrainian front, as well as in economic terms," Margus Tsahkna told ERR.
The chairman of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, Marko Mihkelson (Reform Party), stated that Zelensky's words play into the Russian narrative.
"It’s as if pointing a finger at Europe. Like, look, if we somehow find ourselves in a weaker position or lose, then you will be next, or mainly the Baltic states, which, of course, is not reassuring and certainly fuels the Russian narrative that Russia is on the side of the victors, it attacks, and you are retreating and losing," Mihkelson said.
He added that if Kyiv has data on preparations for an attack, it should share it with allies privately, rather than announcing it to the press. He also stated that Zelensky, along with Trump, "undermines trust" in NATO's Article 5.
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