Estonian foreign policy face-to-face with altered allied relations
By Kristi Raik, ICDS via ERR
“The United States' new security strategy confirms that transatlantic relations have fundamentally changed. While the U.S. remains an indispensable ally, the common ground holding the alliance together has grown thin. For Estonian foreign policy, this marks the most challenging period since the restoration of independence …”
Eesti välispoliitika silmitsi muutunud liitlassuhtega
Kristi Raik, Diplomaatia
“USA värske julgeolekustrateegia kinnitab, et transatlantilised suhted on olemuslikult muutunud. USA on endiselt asendamatu liitlane, kuid ühisosa, mis allianssi koos hoiab, on jäänud õhukeseks. Washingtonilt võib üha enam oodata seisukohti ja tegusid, mis on vastuolus Eesti julgeolekuhuvidega, eelkõige Ukrainas ja Venemaa suunal. Eesti välispoliitika jaoks on käes kõige keerulisem aeg peale taasiseseisvumist.”
https://diplomaatia.ee/eesti-valispoliitika-silmitsi-muutunud-liitlassuhtega/
28 Powerful People in Europe Shaping European Politics
Kaja Kallas #16
Politico | Estonian World
“As Europe grapples with Donald Trump’s turbocharged return to the world stage, Kaja Kallas, 48, emerged as the continent’s unofficial truth-teller. Where others hedge or equivocate, the European Union’s top foreign policy official is unafraid — to a fault, her critics say — to puncture diplomatic platitudes and call things as she sees them.”
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“When Trump accused Europe of lagging on Ukraine aid in the early days of his second term, Kallas pushed back, pointing out that the EU has outspent the U.S. in support for Kyiv. Rather than wilt under the U.S. president’s glare as other leaders have done, she accused him of “appeasement” toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
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“Whether her bluntness proves a liability or a new model for European diplomacy will define her tenure — and perhaps the EU’s voice in a harsher world.”
https://www.politico.eu/list/politico-28-class-of-2026/kaja-kallas/
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https://estonianworld.com/security/kaja-kallas-at-16-on-politicos-list-of-europes-most-powerful/
“Politico ranks Finnish president among Europe's most influential figures — 'Trump's interpreter’.”
Yle
President Karis: ‘I can no longer tolerate excessive demands made by fools’
Postimees
“A puzzling post appeared on the personal social media account of Estonian President Alar Karis on Wednesday morning. … “I no longer tolerate certain things. Not because I am arrogant, but simply because I have reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste any more time on things that irritate me or hurt me,” the post continues, quoting the Portuguese writer José Micard Teixeira.”
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“In November, President Karis indicated that he would likely not run for a second term.”
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Ukraine hits Russian chemical giant only 200 kilometers from the Estonian border
Euromaidan
“The Akron plant makes products used in fertilizers — and as components for explosives — making it a military-adjacent target.”
Eesti pikendab ajateenistuse 12 kuuni
Estonian World Review
“… , senini on see olnud 11 või 8 kuud.”
“Estonia plans to extend military service to 12 months.”
ERR
What does the US' new security plan mean for Estonia and Europe?
Laura Kalam
ERR
“The White House's latest, 33-page National Security Strategy (NSS) marks a clear shift from the previous administration, placing sharper scrutiny on Europe's defense spending and what Washington describes as risks stemming from European migration policy, limits on free speech and efforts to suppress political opposition. … For nearly a year, the Trump administration has argued that Europe's geopolitical weight is fading. The American public, however, still largely views Europe as a key ally.”
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“Liis Mure, defense counselor at the Estonian Embassy in Washington, nonetheless noted that global events often redirect policy, so it can't be expected that everything in the document will play out or be carried out exactly as written.”
“National Security Strategy of the United States of America, November 2025.”
The White House
“Opinion: Ready or not, Europe is on its own.”
The Guardian
“NSS: Strategy That Ignores the Real Threats.”
The Atlantic
“Reading Trump’s National Security Strategy: Europe through a distorted lens.”
European Council on Foreign Relations
“The new US National Security Strategy is surprising only for those determined to ignore reality.”
By Edward Lucas, CEPA
The Guardian
“The new US National Security Strategy marks a decisive shift in Washington’s approach to Europe.”
International Centre for Defence and Security
“Kremlin hails Trump’s national security strategy as aligned with Russia’s vision.”
The Guardian
Estonia now has a fully-functioning warning system
ERR
“On Wednesday, the Estonian Rescue Board tested the nationwide public EE-ALARM warning system. According to preliminary data, all sirens in Estonia were activated within seconds and at the required volumes.”
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“Viktor Saaremets, deputy director general of the Rescue Board, said that the elimination of deficiencies identified during the spring public alarm system test mean Estonia now has a fully functional hazard warning system. Saaremets told ERR that during Wednesday's test, all siren posts in Estonia, in 22 different locations, were activated within 10 seconds.”
Estonia moving ahead on plans for nuclear power
World Nuclear News | ERR
“Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has announced a public procurement for consultancy services for the preparation of work towards selecting a location and environmental impact assessments for a 600 MW nuclear power plant.”
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/estonia-moving-ahead-on-new-nuclear-planning
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https://news.err.ee/1609879675/estonia-seeks-consultant-to-plan-600-mw-nuclear-power-plant
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“Estonia gets a 'new' small island.”
ERR
“Estonia erects first of 600-strong Baltic bunker wall on Russia border.”
Defense News
“The number of tourists from Finland declined for the sixth consecutive month.”
Statistics Estonia
“Kristen Michal: We have no reason whatsoever to ease pressure on Russia.”
Odessa Journal
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Around the Baltic Sea
Interview: Finnish President Alexander Stubb
Postimees Video
[Interview was done in English.]
Or:
“Stubb: me kõik otsime Ukraina sõjas lõppmängu.”
ERR
Santa Claus Village in Finland hosts Nato soldiers as Russian threat looms
The Guardian
“Billed as the official home town of Santa Claus, or joulupukki as he is known in Finland, the city of Rovaniemi offers every imaginable Father Christmas-related experience – from a visit to his “office” on the Arctic Circle to reindeer sleigh rides. He even has his own branch of the Finnish design house Marimekko.”
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“In recent weeks, thousands of Nato soldiers have been through Rovaniemi, which also has an airbase, for training exercises at nearby Rovajärvi, western Europe’s largest military exercise area, where they are preparing for a potential attack by Russia. Rovajärvi is about 55 miles from the Russian border. Rovaniemi is soon expected to become a key base for Finland’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) – the Swedish-led Nato battlegroup intended to act as a deterrent on the eastern border.”
“Survey: Finns' willingness to defend country in the event of a military attack remains high.”
Yle
Lithuania declares national emergency over balloons entering airspace from Belarus
CBC | LRT | Politico
“Lithuania's government on Tuesday declared a national emergency over security risks posed by meteorological balloons sent from Russia-allied Belarus that have violated its airspace in recent weeks, while the Belarusian leader called for negotiations on border tensions and said his country "does not need war.” The balloons forced Lithuania to repeatedly shut down its main airport, stranding thousands of people, as Europe remains on alert over previous intrusions into NATO airspace during the war in Ukraine.”
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“At least 600 balloons have entered Lithuania’s airspace this year, in what the Baltic nation has called hybrid attacks.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/lithuania-belarus-tensions-balloons-9.7008452
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Europe only has itself to rely on
Politico Europe
“If the continent is to survive a future attack by Russia, its big players must behave in a way they haven’t done before. They must be joined at the hip.”
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“In practical terms, the U.S. is still the driving force behind the alliance, notionally at least. As another German military figure, also granted anonymity to express their views, put it: “The harsh truth is that Europe’s readiness level to combat any Russian aggression doesn’t yet exist. Until that time, we are reliant on the U.S. to act as a backstop.”
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“But that penny should have dropped last February, when U.S. Vice President JD Vance dropped his various bombshells at the Munich Security Conference, attacking European democracies, praising the far-right Alternative for Germany party and serving notice that the U.S. no longer felt beholden to past allegiances. The real surprise is that anyone’s been surprised by the Trump administration’s actions since then. …”
“If US Leaves NATO, Bloc Could Become More Anti-Russian, Moscow Analyst Says.”
Paul Goble
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“EL otsustas jätta Vene varad külmutatuks määramata ajaks.”
Postimees
Paul Goble
“Opposition Parties in Karelia Walk Out of Parliament to Protest ‘Hegemony’ of United Russia.”
Paul Goble
“In Russia’s Karelia, Neighboring Finland’s NATO Membership Deepens Divides.”
The Moscow Times
“NATO troops in Baltics say they are adapting to lessons from Ukraine.”
LRT
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Putin’s Forever War
How Russian Propaganda is Training AI Language Models
By Anna Andreeva
Riddle
“The future of propaganda lies in manipulating artificial intelligence algorithms. By various estimates, more than 100 million people now use AI chatbots daily, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT commanding over half that market. Most interactions remain utilitarian: seeking information, advice, or solving practical problems. Yet a growing minority are turning to these tools for news and analysis. …”
https://ridl.io/taming-the-machines-how-russian-propaganda-is-training-ai-language-models/
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