Estonia detains Russian shadow fleet tanker for the first time
The vessel's captain is a Chinese citizen, and the rest of the crew are nationals of Myanmar.
Estonia
Russia might try to secure deal with US on May 9, Estonian defense minister says
"Take the Feb. 24 (when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine). Feb. 23 is the day of Russian Army. For the Kremlin, always, dates are very important," Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur told journalists in Brussels.
Estonia passes law targeting Moscow-linked church ties
The legislation aims to prevent foreign influence in Estonia’s religious sphere if it threatens national security, constitutional order, or public order, or if it promotes military aggression or incites war, according to the parliament’s press service.
Ukraine offers battlefield testing to foreign defense firms
"The opportunities offered by Ukraine to international partners include testing products in real combat conditions and developing long-term partnerships within joint ventures," Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Valerii Churkin said.
EU declines funding for Lithuania-Estonia 'drone wall' project
The application was submitted earlier this year but did not receive approval, Lithuanian officials said.
Hungary is on 'Putin's team,' Estonian FM says
Stripping Hungary of its voting power in the EU "is getting closer and closer," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on April 5.
Unless you act, 'it's just rhetoric' — Baltic states skeptical of Western European leadership
As the U.S. chooses an increasingly hostile posture toward Europe, the U.K. and France have been gearing up to lead the continent's defense without Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron has coined the term "strategic autonomy," which envisions a self-sufficient Europe that can defend itself and export its agenda
Ukraine ceasefire could raise security risks for Baltic states, Estonian defense minister says
"We all understand that when the war in Ukraine will be stopped, Russia will redistribute its forces very quickly. That means also the threat level will increase significantly very quickly," said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.
Estonia bans non-EU citizens from local election voting, mostly Russians and Belarusians affected
"The decisions in our local life won't be made by the citizens of the aggressor states, but we'll decide by ourselves," Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said after the March 26 vote.
Poland, Baltics to withdraw from anti-personnel mine ban treaty
The defense ministers of the four nations argued that the security situation in the region has "fundamentally deteriorated" and that military threats to NATO member states bordering Russia and Belarus have "significantly increased."
Europe is sitting on Russia's $198 billion. Giving it all to Ukraine is tricky
Europe has been left scrambling to find ways to boost defense spending and continue the flow of support to Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump made clear the continent won't be able to rely on Washington for its long-term security needs. The latest reports suggest that EU officials are
Don't 'give Russia what they want' — Kallas decries taking NATO membership off the table for Ukraine
"Consider here in America that after 9/11 you would have sat down with Osama bin Laden and said, 'OK, what else do you want?' I mean, it's unimaginable," Kallas said.
EU should consider 'full trade embargo' on Russia, Estonian president says
The EU "should boost independence even further and end all Russian energy imports," Karis said on Feb. 9. "We should even seriously consider a full trade embargo on Russia."
Baltic states to cut energy ties with Russia, join European power grid, AFP reports
Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia will disconnect from Russia’s power grid this weekend and synchronize with the Western European network.
Lithuania, Estonia pledge 5% defense spending, following Trump's call, FT reports
Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys reportedly described the shift as part of a "new era. " Vilnius committed to spending between 5% and 6% of its GDP on defense annually until at least 2030. Estonia followed suit, pledging to raise defense spending from 3.7% of GDP to 5%.
Finland to host NATO Baltic summit, address Russia’s 'shadow fleet' sabotage threats
The meeting, co-organized by Finland and Estonia, will focus on enhancing NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to risks posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a group of tankers allegedly used for sanction evasion and espionage.
NATO reportedly sending ships to guard cables under Baltic Sea
A fleet of up to 10 NATO vessels will guard the infrastructure under the Baltic Sea until April, the Finnish broadcaster YLE reported on Jan. 7 after several cables were cut in suspected sabotage.
‘Putin is afraid of Trump’s administration’ – Estonian foreign minister on potential Russia-Ukraine negotiations
As Ukraine and Europe enter 2025 with a worsening situation on the battlefield and the incoming Trump administration hoping to quickly reach some kind of peace in Russia’s all-out war, the first months of the year look to be fundamental in deciding the outcome of the war. While much
Finnish court upholds seizure of Russian tanker suspected of cable sabotage
The Helsinki District Court has ruled to keep the oil tanker — suspected of belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" — under seizure, despite an appeal from the ship's owner.
NATO to 'enhance military presence' in Baltic Sea following damage to undersea power cable, Rutte says
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Dec. 27 that "NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea" following the recent damage to the Estlink 2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland likely caused by Russia.
Russian shadow fleet tanker likely caused damage to undersea power cable, Finland says
The Estlink 2, an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, was seriously damaged on Christmas Day. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible act of sabotage.
Estonia urges NATO allies to boost defense spending to counter Russian threat, Reuters reports
"Everybody in NATO and in the EU right now has the feeling in their backbone that you should increase defense expenditure because of what is happening all over the world and with Russia," Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Reuters.
Lithuania and Estonia introduce new sanctions against Georgian officials
Lithuania and Estonia have imposed sanctions against Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and several government officials, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris announced on X on Dec. 15.
Estonian PM arrives in Kyiv to meet Zelensky
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the PM said in a post on X on Dec. 9.
Estonian company to test AI-guided anti-drone missiles in Ukraine, CEO says
A key feature of the system is its artificial intelligence capability for autonomous targeting.
Estonia’s defense chief urges financial aid for Ukraine over foreign troop deployments, The Hill reports
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that Ukraine could manage its defense effectively if supplied with the necessary resources. "As far as I know, Ukrainians can handle all of this, when we can deliver all what they need for fighting with Russia."
Estonia approves delivery of additional military aid package for Ukraine
The latest aid package will include an unspecified amount of munitions and equipment, including naval uniforms, observation equipment, sights, and protective equipment, Estonia's Defense Ministry said.
Kyiv urges Estonian film festival to cancel Russian 'Deaf Lovers' film screening
Ukraine's State Film Agency has urged the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (POFF) to remove the Russian film "Deaf Lovers" from its main programming, protesting the film's depiction of relations between Russians and Ukrainians, the agency announced on Nov. 12.
Estonia announces new military aid package for Ukraine
Estonia's Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur, visited Kyiv on Nov. 11, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and announced a new aid package for Ukraine, Pevkur said on X.
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones hit oil refinery in Russia's Saratov, HUR source says
Key developments on Nov. 8: * Ukrainian drones hit oil refinery in Russia's Saratov, HUR source confirms * Ukraine to receive $6 billion in US military aid before Trump's term begins, Pentagon confirms * Estonia to provide Ukraine with air defense missiles for testing * Ukraine retrieves bodies of 563 fallen soldiers * US allows
Russian drone damages Estonian ambassador's apartment building in Kyiv
"No one is safe in Ukraine until Russia stops its aggression," Estonia's Foreign Affairs Minister Margus Tsahkna said in a post on social media on Nov. 8.
Estonia to provide Ukraine with air defense missiles for testing
The missiles to be trialed by Ukraine are designed to counter drones, and can shoot down targets at an altitude of up to 2 kilometers.
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