Estonia military chief: Double defense spend for inflicting “decisive defeat” if Russia invades

During an interview in Japan, where he was meeting defense officials, Estonian General Martin Herem highlighted that neither the threat of a nuclear response nor the prospect of significant casualties would deter Vladimir Putin from attacking Estonia, Russia’s small Baltic neighbor.

“If you show your face over my border, the decisive victory must come very quickly: not by months and years, but days and weeks,” he said. “If we really believe that it may come in three years, then we have to make decisions today.”

Estonia, which once was occupied by the Russian Empire and then by the USSR, shares a border with Russia. It has already raised its defense budget to approximately 3% of GDP, making it a leader among NATO members in terms of proportional spending.

Sky News notes that the statement comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said the idea Russia would carry out attacks on NATO states was “drivel.”

In a speech to Russian air force pilots, Vladimir Putin dismissed the notion of Russia attacking NATO states as “complete nonsense.” He claimed that Russia harbors no aggressive intentions toward countries like Poland or the Baltic states, calling such ideas “just drivel.”

Shortly before the full-scale invasion, multiple Russian officials claimed that Russia was not going to invade Ukraine. Even after the invasion started, Russia continued to deny its aggression and the very fact that Moscow invaded an independent and sovereign country.

Earlier, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares emphasized that neither the European Union, NATO, nor Spain is preparing for war, despite the threat posed by Russia and the war it has unleashed in Ukraine.

Concerns about a potential years-long confrontation with Russia have been expressed by Belgian Army’s Chief of Staff Adm. Michel Hofman, Norway’s top commander General Eirik Kristoffersen, Estonia’s land forces commander Maj. Gen. Veiko-Vello Palm, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, emphasized the need for a swift and robust response to ensure security.

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