Politics · Other · 4 hrs ago
Estonia’s defence minister warns Russia could test another country after Ukraine war
Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem says Russia could attack another country if fighting in Ukraine is paused or ends.
He says Russia might first build up its military reserves, and Estonia, Latvia or another country could be tested.
Herem says Russia may seek to weaken countries and create distrust among NATO allies, rather than occupy Estonia.
He argues that Estonia must prepare to defend itself and develop the ability to strike targets at long range.
He says Estonia cannot do this alone and needs support from its allies.
Russia’s leaders have repeatedly denied plans to attack NATO, while warnings about a possible future threat have been raised in Europe.
The next step, in Herem’s view, is stronger preparation with allies; he does not say an attack is certain or give a timeline.
Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem warned that Russia could target another country if the war in Ukraine is interrupted or ends.
He said the first target could be Estonia, Latvia or another country, and that NATO members could also be affected.
Herem said Estonia must prepare to fight and develop long-range strike capabilities, with help from its allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia does not plan to attack anyone, while warning it would use all available weapons if NATO attacked Russia.
- Who
- Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem issued the warning.
- What
- He said Russia could target another country after the war in Ukraine and urged preparation.
- When
- He made the comments in an interview reported by T-Online on 14 October 2026.
- Where
- The warning concerns Estonia and other European countries, including NATO members.
- Why
- Herem said Russia could build up military reserves and test another country after fighting in Ukraine is interrupted or ends.
Martin Herem and NATO allies
Russian officials
Russia’s intentions
Martin Herem and NATO allies
Herem said Russia could target another country after the Ukraine war and that NATO countries could be affected.
Russian officials
Putin said Russia did not plan to attack anyone; Kremlin officials have rejected reports of a possible attack on a NATO country.
How to respond
Martin Herem and NATO allies
Herem said countries must prepare to fight and that Estonia needs support from its allies.
Russian officials
Putin said Russia would use all available weapons if NATO directly attacked Russian territory.
Belarus held a four-day command-staff exercise near the borders with Lithuania and Poland.
Putin said Russia did not plan to attack anyone in a speech at the Valdai foreign policy forum near Moscow.
BBC published a report examining the possibility of a Russian attack on a NATO country.
T-Online reported Herem’s warning that Russia could target another country after the war in Ukraine.
- Minister
- Martin Herem, Estonia’s defence minister
- Possible targets
- Estonia, Latvia or another country
- Estonian defence
- Herem said Estonia needs to develop long-range strike capabilities and cannot do so alone.
- Putin’s statement
- Russia does not plan to attack anyone, he said on 1 October.
- Belarus exercise
- 15–18 September, near Lithuania and Poland’s borders
3 sources
Estland verlegt Truppen an die russische Grenze. Der Verteidigungsminister sagt: «Wir müssen bereit sein, wenn von der anderen Seite der Grenze plötzlich Geräusche von Panzern ertönen»
Auch gegen Nato: EU-Verteidigungsminister warnt vor Russlands nächstem Angriff
Rusya NATO ülkelerine saldırabilir mi?
What people are saying
I am not sure whether their first attack will be directed against Estonia. It could also be Latvia or another country.
We must be ready to fight like Ukraine – at the front line and in the rear.
neither in 2029, nor in 2030, nor in 2050 does Russia plan to attack anyone
fear scenario