© picture alliance / Anadolu | Dursun Aydemir
On the sidelines of last week’s NATO summit in Ankara, the German news outlet RND spoke with Margus Tsahkna, the foreign minister of Estonia, a neighbor of Russia. In the interview, Tsahkna states that he sees support for Putin crumbling within the Russian elite.
In the interview, Estonian Minister Margus Tsahkna states that Russia is not currently preparing a major attack on NATO countries. In any case, there are no indications of this: “No significant troop movements are taking place, and Russia is tied down in Ukraine. That does not mean there is no danger from Russia. Russia remains a dangerous country, and provocations are possible at any moment. We are prepared for that. But I consider a large-scale invasion in the coming weeks out of the question. Russia lacks the necessary troops for that.”
According to him, Europe must not give in to Putin’s threats but, on the contrary, must increase pressure through sanctions, military aid to Ukraine, and strategic patience.
Tsahkna does, however, see tensions surrounding Putin mounting: “Many who were still talking about victory a year ago no longer believe in it. Even among the oligarchs, more and more people are having doubts about Putin’s war.”
He believes a change in the Russian president’s behavior is possible:“Putin could adjust his objectives and enter into serious negotiations if he acts rationally. But it’s just as likely that one day he’ll jump out the window with his family. After all, things like that do happen in Russia.”
He argues that the efforts to bring Putin to the negotiating table have effectively failed, and that Trump has primarily wasted time in the process: Russian pressure on Ukraine has increased, as evidenced by more intense Russian attacks.
“For years, Putin has succeeded in sowing fear of an escalation in the West,” the Estonian minister added. “But we must not allow ourselves to be intimidated by his threats of escalation. I find the idea that Russia could use nuclear weapons unrealistic. That would be political suicide. China knows that, and the international community would not accept such a move.”
At the same time, Tsahkna emphasizes that Europe must strengthen its own defense, become less dependent on the U.S., and invest more in European production and cooperation.
Regarding Donald Trump, he says that Europe must take him seriously but should not panic at every statement he makes: “Trump is not the first U.S. president to accuse Europe of doing too little for its own security. The tone has become harsher, but the message is not new. The era of dependence on the U.S. is over.”
His core message: the era of European security dependence on the U.S. is over, and Europe must now take responsibility for itself.
Photo: © picture alliance / Anadolu | Dursun Aydemir