Estonian PM: The constant presence of NATO troops should become the norm in our country
The constant presence of NATO troops in the country should become a new reality for Estonia. Interfax reports that the Prime Minister of Estonia and Leader of the Reform Party, Taavi Rõivas, made statements to that effect at the recent Reform Party meeting.
According to Rõivas, defense and allied relations should be strengthened because the security environment has become unstable and unpredictable and many previous signs of threat have become a reality. “Russia acts like an aggressor, which is able to change borders by force. International law is a waste paper for this country,” Rõivas said.
“The presence of NATO troops is a new reality. It should be increased not only as political signal but also as a means for increasing the competitiveness of domestic defense forces in response to enemies,” the Prime Minister said. According to him, NATO troops should be in Estonia but not for war or for fuelling war.
“These units are in Estonia in order to send a clear and strong message to the opposing party: one shouldn’t quarrel with NATO,” Rõivas noted. The Prime Minister reported that he intends to ensure the presence of NATO forces in Estonia becomes constant at the upcoming NATO Summit on the 8th to 9th of July in Warsaw.
Rõivas also advocated for NATO countries to support an increase of military expenditures up to a fixed criteria—2% of the gross domestic product. Currently, only five member states of the Alliance, including Estonia, have implemented this recommendation.