Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland called in a joint statement on the European Commission to terminate investment protection treaties with Russia that remain in force in 17 member states. According to Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the treaties are being used to influence European Union (EU) policy in Russia’s favor and their continued application threatens the bloc’s overall economic security. The ministry said the treaties contain provisions that encourage investment in Russia and allow individuals under sanctions to bring claims before international courts against member states and against the EU as a whole. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the EU’s task was to ensure “that Russia’s international isolation is maintained without concessions.”
Theme: Estonia
Denmark has reached an agreement with Estonia to recover the money from a military aid package meant to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Estonia paid 9.5 million euros to Datasel as a prepayment but did not receive functional artillery shells in return.
Estonia plans to build around 150 bunkers in its northeastern Ida-Virumaa region bordering Russia to strengthen its defensive readiness, Defense Minister Martin Herem said Wednesday, according to TRT World.
Estonia is overhauling its military strategy, moving troops closer to the border and investing in long-range arms, amid what the newspaper describes as Russian grey-zone tactics on NATO’s eastern flank, according to The Hindu. The country’s defence spending is set to rise 42% in 2026, to €2.4 billion, or around 5.4% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said Estonia's accusations that Russia is allegedly behind the arson of a military plant in Tallinn are baseless, ill-considered and cannot be taken seriously, according to TASS. Peskov reiterated that Russia will continue its “special military operation” to fully ensure its national interests.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said an investigation by the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) concluded that a fire at Estonian defense company Milrem Robotics was an arson attack commissioned by Russian security services, according to G1. The Kremlin denied involvement and called the Estonian accusation unfounded, the same outlet reported. According to ERR, Michal said he could state with full confidence that the attack on Milrem on the night of August 15 was an act of sabotage commissioned by Russian special services.
Estonian security services launched a reconnaissance drone over the Baltic Sea, including over neutral waters within the airspace control sector, according to TASS. The drone took off from the island of Saaremaa and is flying at just over 1.5 km altitude, outside routes designated for civilian aviation, according to the agency.