National Defence Committee: Russia’s partial mobilisation does not pose a direct threat to Estonia, but increases tensions

NordenBladet —

The National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the security situation at its extraordinary sitting today and made a statement underlining that the announcement of a partial mobilisation by the Russian Federation did not pose a direct or immediate security threat to Estonia, but regrettably increased tensions in the region.

“The announcement of a partial mobilisation by the Russian Federation does not pose a direct or immediate security threat to Estonia, but it will definitely increase tensions in the region, which is regrettable. The state institutions of Estonia will continue their daily work to ensure Estonia’s security. We are closely monitoring the developments in Russia and Ukraine and will take further steps with our allies where necessary,” the National Defence Committee declared in its Statement.

According to the Statement, the National Defence Committee is unanimous in its view that the proposed referendums in the territories occupied by the Russian Federation must not be recognised under any circumstances, and they are null and void under international law. “Estonia will never recognise the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories occupied by the Russian Federation,” the Committee said.

The National Defence Committee also stated that in response to Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, Estonia had made and was making further significant investments to strengthen its defence capability. “We are working to increase the presence of our allies in Estonia and to strengthen the security of NATO’s eastern flank. In this context, it is particularly important to implement the decisions of the NATO Madrid Summit as soon as possible,” the Committee noted in its Statement.

The National Defence Committee also asserted that Estonia would continue to provide military, economic and political assistance to Ukraine for as long as necessary and until Ukraine had restored its territorial integrity.

This afternoon, the National Defence Committee held an extraordinary sitting, where it was informed by Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur and representatives of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Agency and the Military Intelligence Centre of the Defence Forces about the partial mobilisation announced by the Russian Federation, and discussed its impact on Estonia’s security.

Source: Parliament of Estonia