TALLINN We are unable to change our location. As a neighbor of Russia, you have to prepare for the worst.
This is from the President of Estonia Alar Karinsen clear message.
met Karis in his office in the Presidential Palace, the President of the Republic of Finland by Alexander Stubb under the state visit starting on Monday.
Karis is sure that Russia will not change very quickly at least.
– I don’t really believe that. In the early 1990s, Russia got its chance, but everything went the other way.
Even the president About Vladimir Putin getting in would not necessarily bring change. Several factors are needed for change, the most important of which is the will of the people to seize the opportunity.
– Maybe we have to endure many more Russian leaders before something starts to happen, Karis thinks skeptically.
Therefore, pressure from Western countries is needed, among other things, so that even ordinary Russians understand that something must be done.
“One should not succumb to provocations”
Unlike many other Estonian politicians, Alar Karis is in no hurry to blame the entire Russian people for Putin staying in power and the war in Ukraine.
He refers to Estonia’s recent history as a country occupied by the Soviet Union.
– Let’s remember how we behaved in the clutches of a similar system? Yes, there were individual protesters who were jailed. However, the majority of the people said what they wanted and waited for the right opportunity, says Karis.
According to the president, the most important thing right now is stopping the Russian war machine.
– We will do everything we can to bring Russia and Putin to their knees. Then serious discussions can begin to end the war in Ukraine.
This week, the Narvajoi, which separates Estonia and Russia, was quite a game of nerves. The Russian border guards repaired twenty buoys from the border river, with which the Estonians had marked the boating route.
According to Estonia’s point of view, the Russians were on the Estonian side of the border. In principle, there would have been a danger of an armed confrontation in the situation, if the Estonian border guards had not kept their nerves under control.
– You shouldn’t succumb to borderline provocations. Sure, when our buoys are picked up, we’ve had stuff stolen. And we have to get them back, Karis commented.
In addition, Estonia must decide how to react to a similar situation next time. However, it doesn’t help that the dialogue connection with Russia is rather weak, although not non-existent.
– There is no red phone. Still, certain channels are kept open in all situations. Information moves, as it moved between enemy countries even during the Second World War, Karis hints.
According to him, not all details can be made public.
The border remains open until there is a need to close it
Finland has closed its eastern border, but the border between Estonia and Russia is still open despite the incidents.
According to Alar Karis, the border is open, among other things, because people on the surface of the border have relatives on the other side. The border will be closed if necessary.
– The readiness is to close the border very quickly if necessary.
At the moment, however, there is no real need. In Estonia, a conversion law similar to the one proposed by the Finnish government is in force. Thus, instrumentalized immigration can be prevented, even if the border is open.
Sending troops to Ukraine has been a topic of discussion among European politicians since the French president Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out sending French troops.
What about Estonia?
– It is not my decision, nor even the government’s. Parliament decides on sending troops, says President Karis.
However, the Ukrainians do not need Western troops, but armaments, above all anti-aircraft, he adds.
– If that moment ever comes, the sending of troops must be discussed not so much within Estonia, but also with our allies. But Ukraine itself does not see the need for it so far.
Help in a crisis situation would be mutual
Estonia and Finland are both members of NATO. Do Estonians now expect Finland to defend Estonia in a war situation?
– We expect NATO’s protection and Finland belongs to NATO. However, I don’t want to say that we have expectations specifically towards Finns.
– Finland is close and it probably makes sense that in a situation where we need help, the Finns get here first. But the Estonians are also ready to help Finland if necessary, Alar Karis assures.
Karis will receive Alexander Stubb, who is coming on a state visit, on Monday in Tallinn’s Freedom Square.
The program includes, among other things, the laying of a wreath at the monument of the Estonian War of Independence. Finnish volunteers played a significant role in winning the war against Soviet Russia in 1918–1920.