The Kremlin has voiced strong concern over Estonia’s readiness to host NATO’s nuclear-capable F-35A jets, calling the move an immediate danger to Russia.
Russia has expressed alarm at Estonia’s announcement that it is prepared to host U.S.-made F-35A stealth jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons under NATO’s defence framework.
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told the Postimees news outlet on Thursday that Estonia was ready to accommodate such jets if necessary, reaffirming the country’s commitment to NATO.
"If some of them, regardless of their country of origin, have a dual-use capability to carry nuclear weapons it doesn't affect our position on hosting F-35s in any way," Pevkur said. "Of course we are ready to host our allies."
Estonia, which borders Russia, regularly hosts NATO aircraft tasked with protecting Baltic airspace. Pevkur’s statement followed Britain’s announcement that it would purchase at least 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads to join NATO’s airborne nuclear mission.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the potential deployment as a direct threat to Russia.
"Of course it would be an immediate danger," Peskov told Russia’s Life news outlet on Friday. He said such statements from Baltic politicians reflected “absurd thoughts” and highlighted the difficult relations between Moscow and the Baltic states.
"We have practically no relations with the Baltic republics because it is very difficult to make them worse," Peskov said, underlining Moscow’s deepening concerns.
For Russia, the deployment of nuclear-capable jets in the Baltic region would mark a serious escalation of NATO’s military presence near its borders. Moscow views any move to place nuclear-capable assets close to Russian territory as destabilising and a direct threat to its national security.
Earlier this month, Russian officials warned that the inclusion of Finland and Sweden in NATO had already shifted the regional balance, prompting adjustments in Russian defence planning.
The latest comments from the Kremlin reflect broader Russian concerns over NATO’s activities in Eastern Europe, with Moscow repeatedly criticising what it sees as provocative steps by the alliance. Russian officials argue that such deployments increase tensions and risk undermining stability in the region.
There has been no immediate reaction from other NATO members to Estonia’s statement, but the alliance has previously maintained that its nuclear posture remains defensive, aimed at ensuring deterrence and security for its members.
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