With its border guards staring over the Narva River at the Russian stronghold of Ivangorod, NATO member Estonia views itself as a front-line state.
There is the belief that President Vladimir Putin, once the combat in Ukraine ends,
will shift his focus to the Baltics, seeking to reassert Moscow’s influence over nations like Estonia, which was formerly a member of the Soviet Union.
To reduce the likelihood of this happening, the Estonian government has donated nearly one percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), along with weaponry, to the Ukrainian military.
Estonia’s resolute prime minister, Kaja Kallas, said that Ukraine would prevail in its war if every nation donated 1% of its GDP.
However, success has eluded Ukraine.
Ukraine is fighting valiantly but is severely underequipped in artillery, ammunition, air defenses, and, most importantly, soldiers.
The looming question for Kalas is if the Russian invasion of Ukraine is successful and Ukraine loses this conflict, what is Estonia’s backup plan?
He said Estonia is fully committed to its first plan, which is to assist Ukraine in repelling the Russian invasion, but it does not have a “Plan B” in case Russia wins.
Kaja Kallas, 46, is not without controversy. She isn’t the first national leader whose popularity has grown outside of her home country.
Her grandma and mother, both Soviet citizens by birth, were exiled to Siberia against their will.
She has been prime minister since 2021 and is one of the most aggressive NATO leaders when it comes to thwarting Russian goals in Europe. Some White House officials are worried that she would lead the West into an all-out war with Russia.
Raising taxes to fund Estonia’s defense contribution is a source of discontent for many Estonians. But, the West, according to Kaja Kallas, is being threatened to its very existence by Russia’s newfound aggressiveness.
She seeks to stand firm and back Ukraine all the way.
