Estonia has expressed strong confidence that the United States would defend it in the event of a Russian attack, while warning that Europe is not yet prepared to face Russia independently.
Speaking during a visit to Vilnius, Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that he fully trusts both the United States and NATO allies to ensure the country’s security. At the same time, he acknowledged that Europe still relies heavily on American military support.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions with Russia, following intelligence warnings earlier this year that Moscow may be stockpiling ammunition for potential future conflicts after the war in Ukraine. Russia has dismissed such claims as unfounded.
Pevkur emphasized that NATO remains strong despite internal disagreements, comparing the alliance to a long-term relationship that must overcome challenges. However, he admitted that Europe is not yet in a position to stand militarily on its own, stressing that all NATO members must increase defense spending.
Estonia itself is expected to allocate over 5% of its GDP to defense this year, one of the highest levels within NATO, reflecting growing concerns in the Baltic region about regional security.
The Estonian minister also noted that resolving tensions in the Middle East could allow the United States to refocus more attention on Ukraine, which he described as the primary security concern for the region.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
