Estonia prepares to deploy NATO troops on its territory

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Sep 2022 20:05

As part of NATO's eastward expansion, Estonia's President says the funds are ready to be allocated for the preparation of military infrastructure.

Estonia readies deployment of NATO troops on its territory

The president of Estonia Alar Karis said on Thursday that the country is readying itself for the deployment of a NATO troop within its territory, adding that required funds are ready to be disbursed to launch the operation.

Karis held a meeting with the chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, in which both discussed plans for the deployment of a NATO division, including plans for increasing the alliance and the current situation in Ukraine.

"The government has allocated additional funding for the rapid development of new military capabilities. Our aim is to establish the framework for a division that enables allied forces to seamlessly work with and serve alongside the Estonian Defence Forces," Karis said.

The President emphasized the importance for Estonia that NATO troops be ready to defend the country at any time a conflict erupts.

"Among other things, that means specific units must be in place for just such an event," Karis said.

Since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began earlier this year, NATO has been increasing its presence on the eastern flank. This military build-up has been interpreted by Moscow as a threat that may result in a further escalation.

US President Joe Biden and the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg have already made it clear last June that NATO intends to boost high readiness forces to "well over 300,000".

The pretext for doing so was that the "threat" from Russia had become the "new normal in Europe."

All countries, with the exception of Belarus, have fallen under the NATO spell of the "Russian threat". They have mobilized military resources in the belief that a potential war with Russia is underway. Belarus has already begun military drills near Poland, a rival of Russia.

On September 9, it was reported that the alliance had already placed hundreds of thousands of troops on high readiness.

However, NSA Deputy Chief George Barnes said last week that the lack of the United States' readiness to respond to foreign adversaries' actions keeps him up at night.