Estonia ready to defend Itself from the first moment of any russian aggression

Estonia has adopted a new and more decisive approach to national security, preparing to defend itself from the very first moment of any potential conflict, with the objective of winning rather than merely surviving.

In an interview for Defence24, retired Major General Veiko-Vello Palm emphasizes that Europe’s security environment has changed fundamentally following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, forcing Estonia and other NATO members to reassess their defense doctrines.

According to Palm, Estonia’s strategy is built around the concept of “deterrence by denial”, meaning the ability to stop an aggressor in the early stages of a conflict, denying any opportunity for territorial gains or strategic advantage.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that advanced technology alone is not sufficient. Palm stresses that high-intensity modern warfare requires large-scale forces, long-term resilience, rapid mobilization, and the effective use of reserves, as well as a society prepared to withstand crisis.

“The goal is not to buy time by retreating, but to fight from the very beginning,” he underlines.

Estonia’s defense model goes beyond the armed forces, encompassing civil institutions, local authorities, critical infrastructure operators, and volunteers, creating what is known as a “total defense” system.

Estonia also relies heavily on close cooperation with NATO allies and regional partners—particularly the Baltic states and Poland—to ensure a coordinated and immediate response in the event of a threat.

According to Palm, regardless of developments in Ukraine, Russia continues to pose a persistent threat to European security due to its strategic culture and its reliance on the use of force as a political instrument.

“For this reason, preparing for war is the best way to prevent it,” he concludes.