Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said at the Northern Group meeting held in Palanga, Lithuania, on Thursday that all Allies must consider the increasing Russian aggression against NATO and the faster recovery of its military power than previously expected.
According to the Estonian Defence Minister, Russia has shifted its economy onto a wartime footing and is capable of producing and repairing tanks, armored vehicles, and ammunition in ever-increasing quantities despite heavy losses in Ukraine.
"Russia's current engagement in Ukraine means that there is no immediate military threat to the Baltic States in the coming years. However, if Russia's war against Ukraine ends in any way other than a complete defeat for Russia, it will significantly worsen regional security, as the capabilities currently directed against Ukraine will then pose a direct threat to NATO. Concurrently with the war in Ukraine, Russia continues to implement reforms in its armed forces, aiming to increase the size of the armed forces to 1.5 million military personnel by the end of 2026," said Pevkur.
"The Russian threat to NATO is long-term and existential, and all Allies must make efforts to enhance their defence capabilities to counter this threat, starting with increasing defense spending to at least 2.5 percent of GDP," stated the Estonian Defence Minister.
The Northern Group meeting also discussed supporting Ukraine. Estonia has decided to support Ukraine militarily over the next four years with 0.25 percent of its GDP, and Pevkur urged allies at the meeting to follow this example. "The West has all the means to ensure long-term support for Ukraine and help the people fighting for their freedom to achieve victory," explained the Defence Minister.
The Northern Group is a defence cooperation format that brings together 12 Western and North Sea countries - Estonia, the Netherlands, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. The Northern Group's main focus is on common issues within NATO and the European Union and regional security. The format was established in 2010, led by the United Kingdom.
Photo gallery from the Northern Group Meeting.
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