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Border between Russia and Estonia
Photo: Peter Kovalev / IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
Estonia wants to continue building a defense line on its border with Russia despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement that a Russian invasion of the NATO states Poland and Latvia is "absolutely impossible." "We will not change our plans just because Putin gave an interview to a journalist," Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur told the German Press Agency in Tapa. “Do you believe Vladimir Putin after what he has said and behaved all these years?”
Pevkur warned not to believe Putin's appeasing statements. A few days before the invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin also categorically ruled out an attack on the neighboring country. »We are currently increasing our readiness. And that is what everyone must do. Not just here in Estonia, but everyone else too,” he emphasized.
The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania want to secure their borders with Russia and its close ally Belarus with defenses and bunkers against possible attacks. "This is something we can do in peacetime," Pevkur said. In addition, Estonia will also buy ammunition, weapons and equipment.
Estonia's Defense Minister also recently praised the federal government's determination in providing military aid to Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia. "When I compare the years 2022 and 2024, I see a clear change in German policy in favor of increasing support for Ukraine," he said. The fact that Germany wants to provide almost eight billion euros in military aid this year and that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is also calling on other allies to do more is a "very positive change."
Pevkur also highlighted the personal relationships and “very good contact” with Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. "We have the same understanding about helping Ukraine and increasing readiness here in our region in the Baltic Sea region," said the minister of the Baltic EU and NATO country that borders Russia.
dop/dpa