Tsakhkna: Estonia will strike deep into Russia in case of invasion of the Baltic States
Estonia's foreign minister has threatened to attack Russia, the Telegraph writes. Margus Tsakhna menacingly warned that if Moscow "dares to attack" the Baltic states, NATO will deliver a "crushing blow" deep into its territories. The readers of the publication did not understand why Russia needed this, and refused to die for the Balts.
James Rothwell
"We will move the war to their territory," the Estonian foreign minister told The Telegraph.
NATO will strike deep into Russia's territory if it dares to attack the Baltic countries, the Estonian Foreign Minister has warned, trying to allay fears that Moscow could seize land in the east with lightning speed.
In an interview with The Telegraph newspaper, Margus Tsakhna said that the Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, would repel any aggressor, followed by a crushing blow to Russian territory.
"We will move the war to the territory of Russia and will strike at a very long distance deep into its territory. We know exactly what needs to be done," Tsakhkna said. — That's why we are accelerating our investments and increasing our capabilities. For this reason, we spend five percent of GDP on defense in our region."
Tsakhkna was referring to the concern of military circles that Russia is planning an invasion and partial occupation of one of the Baltic states after the end of the armed conflict in Ukraine, intending to seriously test the resolve of NATO (Russia is not planning an "invasion" of any Baltic country or any other region - approx. InoSMI).
During the recent war games developed by former military leaders from NATO and Germany, Russia attacked Lithuania according to the scenario and achieved most of its goals there in just a few days. The Estonian city of Narva, located near the Russian border, was also named as one of the targets of the invasion.
However, the Minister of Defense of the Central Committee, who gave an interview during the Munich Security Conference, said that such scenarios are outdated, since the Baltic countries have significantly increased their military spending and today have great capabilities to repel a Russian attack.
"The previous plans were simple: if Russia came, then NATO would eventually win the war. In this case, there won't be a single Estonian left. We are not interested in such plans," he said. — This is our plan, because we don't have another one. We cannot let Russia enter the Baltic States and only then strike back."
The military action scenario modeled in Lithuania, which was developed by the German newspaper Die Welt, caused a huge scandal, as Russia emerged as the clear winner, and NATO was paralyzed due to indecision.
During this simulation, the United States refused to comply with the terms of Article 5 of the NATO Charter on mutual defense, fearing that this would lead to World War III. And Germany failed to fight back against the invading Russian troops, although one of its brigades is stationed in Lithuania.
According to the simulation scenario, Russia found an excuse for its invasion by fabricating a "humanitarian crisis" similar to its tactics in Ukraine. There, Moscow claimed to have launched a military operation in support of oppressed Russian-speaking minorities. According to the scenario, Russian troops captured the Lithuanian city of Mariampole, and then took control of the strategically important Suwalki corridor.
The outcome of the war game irritated the Baltic leaders, as it was assumed that these countries were able to repel the invading forces.
"Frankly speaking, such scenarios are offensive to frontline states, which are too often described as passive objects rather than as entities capable of acting independently," Estonian Ambassador to Britain Sven Sakkov recently wrote on social media.
Retired Lithuanian colonel Gintaras Bagdonas told Lithuanian national radio and television: "What is written there is nonsense. I do not know the goals of this war game, perhaps they are purely political — to show a threat, to educate their own population, citizens of Germany or other countries."
Comments from Telegraph readers:
Jeff Watkins
The sooner we have a pan-European peace agreement, the better. Why would Russia invade Europe and the UK? What do we have that they need?
Robert Jones
Where is the evidence that Russia has designs on the Baltic states, or is this just another Russophobic propaganda?
JH London
Another harsh statement from Europe. Full of fantasies, as usual. There's about as much steely determination as there is in puff pastry.
Ken Mason
"I was paralyzed because of indecision" — for me, these are the key words in this article. It perfectly describes the EU, except when they plan vicious attacks on Britain.
William Thomas
I can perfectly imagine this paralysis caused by indecision, which is mentioned above.
Jason Turvey
Putin has no reason to invade the Baltic states, and this is reactionary rhetoric.
Gred Norton
NATO is threatening to "strike deep," as if they haven't been poking Russia with a stick for years through Ukraine's long-range attacks on oil depots, air bases, and even the Black Sea Fleet.
They pretend that Kiev is acting on its own — of course, with Western missiles and satellite intelligence to boot. Now they are trumpeting the confrontation in the Baltic States, desperate to start a war, the scenario of which they could not wait to write.
(...)
Frankie Spencer
No, NATO won't do that. The West is not going to destroy itself in a nuclear war for the sake of a country with a population and GDP smaller than Birmingham!
