NATO Member Advocates for Russian Federation's Disintegration

Estonia's Prime Minister's Provocative Statements

Last week, Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas made headlines in Russian media due to her controversial remarks. Kallas, who has been steering her small Baltic nation towards a staunch anti-Moscow stance, suggested that the Russian Federation should be broken up. This sentiment comes from a country that became a part of NATO during the mid-2000s, under the Bush administration, along with several other Eastern European nations.

Proposed Breakup of Russian Federation

During a debate in Tallinn, Estonia's capital, last week, Kallas proposed that Russia could become "smaller" as a result of the Ukraine war. She argued that a defeat for Russia could lead to significant societal changes. Kallas pointed out that the Russian Federation comprises "many different nations" that could potentially be split into separate states. "If you would have more like small nations... it is not a bad thing if the big power is actually [made] much smaller," Kallas stated.

Estonia's Stance on the War

Despite its small size, Estonia has been vocal over the past few months regarding the war. For instance, it seemed to support French President Macron's suggestion that NATO should contemplate sending Western troops to Ukraine. Estonia's government is reportedly "seriously" considering deploying troops to western Ukraine to assume non-direct combat, "rear" roles, thereby freeing up Ukrainian forces to fight on the front. However, these troops could potentially face direct attacks from Russian aerial forces, even if they are in the "rear" and far from the front battle lines.

Potential Border Dispute

Recently, there have been indications of a possible border dispute. According to a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Moscow is attempting to challenge NATO's "resolve" by having Kremlin border guards remove buoys that marked Russia's maritime border with Estonia. The Estonian Police and Border Guard reported that Russian law enforcement removed part of the floating border in the Narva River overnight. These buoys are used to mark shipping routes and the border is placed every spring as part of a 2022 agreement between Tallinn and Moscow.

Increasingly Bold Remarks from Baltic Leaders

There has been a trend of leaders of pro-West Baltic states making increasingly 'tough' statements throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, they all ultimately depend on robust Western backing, including support from Washington.

As we delve into these geopolitical dynamics, it's clear that the situation is complex and fraught with tension. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you agree with Estonia's Prime Minister's proposal for the breakup of the Russian Federation? Share this article with your friends and engage in a discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6pm.