Unyielding Resolve: Estonia Declares Readiness to Repel Attack Immediately

Unyielding Resolve: Estonia Declares Readiness to Repel Attack Immediately
Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas gestures as she speaks during the NATO summit, in Vilnius on July 11, 2023. AFPPIX

In the face of mounting geopolitical tensions, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has recently sent a resounding message to the world at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Kallas announced that Estonia, backed by its NATO allies, stands prepared to repel any form of attack instantly, underscoring the country's readiness to uphold its sovereignty and security.

Detailing NATO's comprehensive defense plans for the Baltic states, Kallas highlighted that these measures significantly enhance Estonia's defense capabilities. "Together with our allies, we are ready to defend our territory from the first moment, from the first centimeter," Kallas declared, thus reiterating Estonia's commitment to safeguard its territorial integrity, hand in hand with NATO and its allies.

Amidst discussions regarding permanent NATO defense brigades in Latvia and Lithuania, Kallas ensured that the absence of UK troops in Estonia on a permanent basis poses no issues. Instead, Kallas pointed out the strong cooperation between Estonia and the UK, with well-coordinated joint military exercises and robust communication channels reinforcing the strategic military alliance between the two nations.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the UK echoed these sentiments, expressing his country's long-standing support for Estonia. Sunak emphasized that the UK has no immediate plans to change its brigade's position, yet the force remains on high alert and ready to enhance Estonia's defense operations if necessary.

Further, Kallas drew attention to the importance of the UK's dedicated brigade for Estonia, which regularly trains in the country and is prepared to mobilize at a moment's notice.

Kallas also spotlighted the G7 countries' initiative to develop a defense mechanism for Ukraine, inviting other nations to join this effort. This mechanism aims to offer critical security guarantees to Ukraine, strengthening its resilience in the face of potential threats.

Finally, Kallas underscored the ongoing commitment to drawing Ukraine closer to NATO, establishing this as a pressing task on the current agenda. The assertive message from Vilnius serves as a testament to Estonia's unwavering readiness to repel any form of attack immediately, asserting its staunch commitment to safeguarding its territory and the broader stability of the Baltic region.