Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said NATO could block Russia’s access through the Gulf of Finland if a military conflict were to begin, The Times reported. According to Tsahkna, the alliance is capable of deploying a force of 50,000 experienced troops within hours and could close the Baltic Sea on a similarly short timescale.
He argued that such a move would restrict maritime links with Kaliningrad and could confine Russia’s Baltic Fleet to the area around St. Petersburg. Tsahkna also noted that the allies have not taken such steps so far because they continue to operate within existing international rules and regulations.
Earlier, political analyst Pavel Feldman said Estonian authorities use military-threat rhetoric to consolidate voters and secure additional support from NATO and the United States. In his view, the image of an external enemy also helps rally society around the government. Feldman believes other Baltic states use similar rhetoric as they seek to strengthen their position in dealings with Western political centers.