Estonia

A newly brutalized Russian Army is emerging from its disastrous invasion of Ukraine, with NATO nations now mobilizing to cover gaps in their defenses.

"I think it is meant as a compliment," Kallas told Newsweek of the new nickname. "I guess it shows that I've been very firm."

Regardless of nuclear threats, Estonia's Hanno Pevkur told Newsweek the West should not "be worried about what the Kremlin will do."

Margus Tsahkna told Newsweek in Tallinn that the 74-year-old alliance remains the "only realistic" security guarantee against Russian aggression.

The Russian president would likely only consider weapons of mass destruction if "very desperate," Alar Karis told Newsweek in Tallinn.

Estonia's government has called on NATO allies to commit to a new military spending target of 2.5 percent of GDP.

"The way they operate, the brutality, the atrocities; it hasn't changed at all," Kaja Kallas told Newsweek in the Estonian capital.

The Kremlin wants to reduce NATO's presence in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, while simultaneously strengthening Russian influence and culture.

"He still thinks that he can outlast the West," the former head of Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service told Newsweek of the Russian president.

A G7-European Union joint price cap is reportedly eating into the Kremlin's budget as Moscow wages its costly war in Ukraine.

Mikk Marran, who headed Estonia's foreign intelligence service until last year, told Newsweek that Moscow's spies are still conducting foreign operations.

"There were and are officials inside the Kremlin that are totally against the war," the former head of Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service told Newsweek.

British and German jets intercepted a Russian refueling aircraft that did not respond to Estonian air traffic control.

Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has heralded a new era of Russia-West cyber conflict, a Russian diplomat has said.

The operation over Estonia, which shares its eastern border with Russia, comes as tensions between NATO and Moscow remain high amid the Ukraine war.

Tallinn has been one of Kyiv's most outspoken backers, and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' re-election means there will be no change in course.

A NATO minnow on the front line with Russia is urging allies to adopt an uncompromising strategy to strategically defeat Moscow.

Urmas Reinsalu told Newsweek that NATO membership for Ukraine is the only realistic way to deter future Russian aggression.

Kyiv is eyeing some $500 billion in frozen Russian assets, but Western partners face a myriad of obstacles.

Five Russian nationals were also charged by the Department of Justice in the alleged smuggling scheme.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu told Newsweek that NATO allies need to increase arms deliveries to Ukraine to enable a total victory for Kyiv.

Urmas Reinsalu told Newsweek that Kyiv should be given long-range missiles "without political caveats."

A European defense official told Newsweek that top Russian airborne, military intelligence, and army units have taken "severe" casualties since February.

Artem Zinchenko has reportedly sought asylum in Estonia, where he was arrested in 2017 and then traded back to Russia a year later.

The president of the Baltic Security Foundation told Newsweek the systems are a "game changer" for the nations.

Ukraine has not officially taken credit for the blast, but several officials took to social media to celebrate the destruction wrought against the bridge.

Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu told Newsweek the European Union must "immediately" expand sanctions and military aid for Ukraine.

One commentator said Russia is now "at war" with the United States and Britain.

"We regard this as one instance of provocation in a very long line of provocations by Russia," said Urmas Reinsalu, Estonia's foreign minister.

"The authorities are so afraid of the partisans that they are ready for any fables in order to maintain the appearance of total control," the group said.