Estonian Foreign Minister: Russia's Sabotage Must Have Consequences
Margus Tsahkna, Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, used a RUSI event to discuss Russian aggression, highlighting Russian attacks and sabotage already happening across Europe, with the aim of spreading fear, dividing societies and weakening support for Ukraine.
Speaking as part of a roundtable engagement during his visit to London, His Excellency Margus Tsahkna warned that Russian hybrid attacks on Europe are no longer a future risk. He said they are already happening across the continent, and that Moscow's growing risk tolerance and brazenness demand greater vigilance and stronger protection.
He rejected the idea that 'hybrid' means low impact. Coordinated attacks on energy, communications or transport, he said, could disrupt essential services and military reinforcement, with potentially severe consequences. Such attacks can be in pursuit of military aims, weakening the ability to defend without an overt conventional assault. He argued that the response must reflect their effects and cumulative impact, not treat each incident in isolation.
The Minister said protection and consequences must go together. Defence companies and infrastructure operators must strengthen their security, while allies must attribute attacks and raise the costs for Russia. Identifying and publicly exposing those who order and carry out these attacks will be essential to deterring both the Kremlin and those that act on its behalf.
On deterrence, he said Estonia has the agency and the will to defend itself, and that higher defence spending, ready reserves and societal resilience make that credible. NATO's commitments must be equally visible, through ready forces, credible reinforcement and political cohesion that leave Russia no reason to expect success.
He concluded by stressing that fear is part of Russia's strategy:
Moscow watches our responses and seeks division and weaker support for Ukraine. Our actions must demonstrate resolve and strengthen that support.
Margus Tsahkna, Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs
We map and analyse geopolitical competition, conflict, and cooperation across the key security regions of the world: the Indo-Pacific; Sub-Saharan Africa; the Middle East and North Africa; Latin America; Europe and Russia and Eurasia.
