Estonia’s counterintelligence service has recently issued a stark warning about saboteurs orchestrated by Russian special services entering a new and perilous phase in Europe, with targets expanding beyond symbolic locations. In an interview with Talking Europe, the country’s foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, discusses the evolving security landscape in Estonia and the broader European Union.
Regarding covert operations attributed to Russian special services against Estonia, Tsahkna states: “We have identified both terrorist and sabotage attacks targeting defense industry companies. Three weeks ago, we attributed a significant attack on our defense sector to Russian secret services and apprehended the perpetrators, who are now incarcerated. We observe an uptick in such incidents, and while the Baltic states remain a potential target, the focus appears to have shifted more broadly toward Europe as a whole. We are not currently the primary targets. Russia is intensifying pressure across the continent. These operations include terror attacks, sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns designed to fracture our unity and societal cohesion.”
Tsahkna differentiates between these hybrid threats and Russia’s actual military capabilities, which have been diminished by their engagement in Ukraine.
“During my tenure as defense minister in 2016–2017, we maintained 120,000 Russian troops stationed near our borders, poised to deploy within 48 hours. These forces have since been redeployed to Ukraine and are no longer present,” he explained.
Continued: “We have a clear understanding of military response strategies. NATO forces are actively deployed—French troops are stationed in Estonia and fully integrated with local units. Our NATO regional defense plans are robust. Thus, military preparedness is not the primary concern. The critical challenge now is maintaining unity across Europe. We must recognize that President Putin is testing our resolve, observing how we respond collectively to his provocations.”
On diplomatic efforts toward a Ukraine ceasefire, Tsahkna cautions that Europe must avoid adopting a neutral mediator role.
“Europe participates in diplomatic initiatives, such as the recent Oslo meeting involving the U.S., President Zelensky, and Nordic leaders,” Tsahkna noted. “While European involvement remains vital, we must not assume the role Putin seeks—a neutral arbiter to halt sanctions or release frozen assets to Russia. Our participation is essential, but we will not accept a mediating position that undermines our support for Ukraine.”
Regarding recent unrest in France, Tsahkna emphasized electoral stakes: “France’s upcoming elections are crucial for Europe’s stability. Violence is never justified. Estonia prioritizes national cohesion and counters radicalization. Societal divisions weaken a nation. However, France must determine its own path forward through dialogue. From our perspective in the north, we value calm and consensus.”
