Estonia will not become a passive victim of possible Russian aggression. Its own army, allies in the region, and investments in defense make Tallinn ready to respond immediately to any provocation, stated the country's Foreign Ministry.
Estonia will not become a passive victim of aggression if Russia decides to test NATO's resolve in the Baltic region. This was stated by the Chancellor of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonatan Vseviov, in an interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, published on Saturday, April 4.
Estonian Foreign Ministry: We Will Become the Largest Military Force in the Region
The Chancellor is the highest civil servant in the Estonian Foreign Ministry, coordinating its work and reporting to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the conversation with Welt am Sonntag, Vseviov emphasized that Estonia has its own armed forces that will be ready to act in the first hours of a potential conflict.
"Let me remind you that we also make decisions. Estonia and the Baltic countries are sometimes viewed merely as territory vulnerable to attack. This is not the case. We have armed forces, and they are the largest in the territory in question. In the first days of a conflict, we will be the largest military force in this territory," he said.
Estonian Diplomat: We Will Open Fire on 'Little Green Men'
Vseviov reminded that despite its small size, Estonia invests about 5% of its GDP in defense and is forming a full-fledged division. If foreign troops attempt to penetrate its territory, Estonian military personnel will open fire, the diplomat assured.
"If 'little green men' cross our border, we will open fire on them. It’s that simple. And we will do everything possible to keep our allies on our side to protect every inch of Estonian territory," he said.
The diplomat noted that Tallinn has been striving for years to expand the presence of allied NATO forces in the Baltic region, and this process continues. It is fundamentally important for Estonia to make it clear to a potential aggressor that any strike against it will be a strike against its allies. Vseviov emphasized that the country is not only ready for defense but also considers it its duty to keep partners focused on the need to strengthen NATO's eastern flank.
"It is also about making it clear to the other side: if you come, we will shoot, and if you use heavy weaponry, you will hit everyone, including our allies," he said.
A Number of Investors Have Changed Their Minds About Investing in Estonia Due to Threats
Vseviov also commented on the recent military exercises that took place at the Bundeswehr University in Hamburg. The exercises showed that in the event of an invasion of the Baltic countries, Russia could quickly gain control over the region. According to the Estonian diplomat, the results of the modeling led to panic among some of Tallinn's business partners.
"A military game that ends in a defeat or victory for NATO is not a problem. It is unpleasant when it causes panic. We know our own situation; it does not scare us. But I find it unpleasant to talk to investors who are reconsidering their decisions. I can say this: anyone who invests in Finland or Poland can invest in us with a clear conscience," the diplomat said.
