By The Smartencyclopedia Staff
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas added to Russian wanted list; intelligence report suggests Russia is doubling troops along Baltic borders.
Amid escalating tensions, Estonia’s foreign intelligence service issued a report warning of Russia’s plans to double its troops along the borders with the Baltic states and Finland, anticipating potential conflict with NATO. This revelation comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government added Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to a wanted list due to her efforts to remove Soviet-era World War II monuments.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Telegram, “This is just the beginning. The liberators of the world from Nazism and fascism must answer for crimes.” Officials from Latvia and Lithuania supporting monument removal are also on the list.
The report indicates that Moscow foresees a possible conflict with NATO in the next decade, prompting a significant increase in Russian forces near Estonia’s border. As Russia strengthens its military capabilities, European allies are urged to enhance their defenses against potential attacks.
Kaupo Rosin, director general of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service, emphasized that Russia has chosen a path of long-term confrontation. The report suggests that defending against a conventional attack from Russia would require allied defense forces to be more prepared, capable, and better-stocked with ammunition and materiel than they currently are.
Kallas, known for supporting Kyiv during the Russian war on Ukraine, remains undeterred by Moscow’s attempts at intimidation. She asserted on social media, “The Kremlin now hopes this move will help to silence me and others—but it won’t. I will continue my strong support to Ukraine. I will continue to stand for increasing Europe’s defenses.”
The concerns about NATO’s future defense capabilities intensified following former President Donald Trump’s recent remarks. Trump, the current Republican frontrunner for the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, revealed that he had warned a NATO member he would allow Russia to act freely if it did not contribute two percent of its GDP to defense spending. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticized Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that any suggestion allies won’t defend each other undermines security. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith labeled Trump’s statements as irresponsible and dangerous, putting U.S. and allied soldiers at increased risk. The developments underscore the delicate geopolitical situation and the challenges NATO faces in maintaining unity and preparedness.