Kathrine Frich
The remarks come as unmarked Russian soldiers and airspace violations fuel anxiety across the Baltic region.
Amid repeated provocations from Moscow, Estonia has issued its starkest warning yet about potential incursions.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told o2.pl that Tallinn will respond with force if Russian operatives cross the frontier, underscoring how fragile security remains even as peace talks over Ukraine continue.
Red lines
Speaking to o2.pl for the “Close to the World” series, Tsahkna said Estonia cannot rely on Vladimir Putin’s promises even if a peace deal is eventually reached.
“We absolutely cannot trust Putin,” he said, stressing that borders cannot be changed by force and that Russia must not influence Europe’s security framework.
He warned that any repeat of September’s airspace violation would trigger a direct response.
“If we see Russian fighter jets posing a threat to our security, we will shoot them down,” Tsahkna stated. “This is a red line, Putin must remember that.”
The foreign minister also said Estonia would act if Russian operatives appeared on its territory.
“Let me put it bluntly: if the little green men ever cross our border, we will shoot them,” he declared.
Pressure on russia
Tsahkna criticised early versions of the peace plan for placing too much pressure on Ukraine and not enough on Moscow.
He argued that Western states should tighten sanctions and move ahead with measures to use frozen Russian assets. “Aggression must be punished,” he said.
He added that Russia’s recent willingness to engage in negotiations stems from pressure: sanctions on major Russian oil companies, a future tribunal in The Hague, and the looming use of frozen assets.
“All of this leaves Putin in a very, very weak position,” he said.
Wider security fears
Tsahkna said Russia has continued hybrid actions across Europe, including drone incursions and intelligence probes.
Estonia, he noted, supports security guarantees for Kyiv comparable to NATO’s Article 5 and backs Ukraine’s path to joining the alliance.
Asked whether shooting down a Russian jet could spark a broader conflict, he dismissed the idea.
He argued that Moscow lacks the capacity to wage a larger war and would not risk nuclear escalation: “It would be political suicide for Putin.”
Tsahkna said the war’s outcome will shape Russia’s future posture toward Finland, the Baltics and NATO as a whole.
Estonia, he stressed, is preparing for every scenario. “Deterrence must be realistic,” he said.
Sources: o2.pl, Reuters, Digi24
