Estonia’s Intelligence Chief Says Russia Has No Plans to Attack NATO
Estonia’s intelligence chief says Russia is not planning attacks on the Baltics or NATO, noting Moscow’s efforts to avoid escalation and direct conflict.
Russia currently has no plans to attack the Baltic states or any other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, according to Kaupo Rosin, head of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
In an interview with Estonian public broadcaster ERR, Rosin said intelligence assessments show no indications that Moscow is preparing for an invasion of the Baltics or NATO as a whole. He noted that Russia is acting cautiously and is deliberately avoiding any direct confrontation with the alliance.
Rosin also pointed out that Russian authorities appear focused on preventing escalation, closely monitoring the use of drones and the flight paths of military aircraft to reduce the risk of incidents that could spiral out of control.
NATO, for its part, has repeatedly scrambled fighter jets to shadow Russian aircraft operating near alliance airspace. The most recent episode occurred on December 25, when Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers flew over neutral waters of the Norwegian Sea. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the flight complied fully with international rules.
According to the ministry, two Tu-95MS missile carriers carried out a scheduled seven-hour mission in late December, flying over neutral waters in the Barents and Norwegian seas.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused European leaders of deliberately fueling what he described as hysteria and fear about an inevitable clash with Russia. He has also stated that restoring the Soviet Union is neither possible nor meaningful.