Overview
- At the Vilnius Baltic Defence conference, Estonian chief Andrus Merilo declared Estonia is already at war with Russia, highlighting air and drone threats.
- The commanders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania made their first joint public appearance and pledged to link Baltic defenses more tightly with Poland and NATO.
- Baltic leaders cited Ukraine’s experience to prioritize counter-drone and air defenses and to strengthen domestic industry for sustained defense.
- In Washington, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned Russia could return forces to the region within two or three years, noting 83 Estonian airspace violations and a September MiG-31 incursion that triggered NATO Article 4.
- Allies weighed faster deterrence timelines, with Germany’s Boris Pistorius discussing earlier risk windows and larger reserves as Poland flagged rising hybrid activity.