Estonia Signals Openness to NATO Nuclear Deployment — UNITED24 Media

Estonia is prepared to host an ally’s nuclear weapon on its territory if NATO deems it necessary under alliance defense plans, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in comments aired on Estonian public broadcaster ETV on February 18. 

Tsahkna stated Europe should not “push away” NATO-wide nuclear deterrence as debate grows in parts of Europe about additional nuclear guarantees.

Following comments reported over the weekend that Poland’s president said the country should seek its own nuclear guarantees. 

“Bringing a nuclear weapon here to our territory—we are not against it,” Tsahkna said, adding that Estonia does not have a doctrine that rules out the placement of a nuclear weapon on its territory if NATO considers it necessary in line with defense plans. 

Tsahkna made the remarks in a broader interview, arguing that Estonia’s foreign policy “cannot be treated as an opportunity for this kind of academic reflection.”

At the same time, Tallinn has moved to harden its posture on the eastern flank, including parliament’s vote to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines.

The start of work on the Baltic Defense Line with anti-tank ditches and planned bunkers along the Russian border, and regional discussions on dismantling rail links to Russia and Belarus as a security measure.

Earlier, it was reported that Poland’s president voiced support for Poland joining a “nuclear project” and pursuing its own nuclear potential within international law as regional security risks grow.

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