NATO considers deploying forces to country bordering Russia
Photo: Defense Minister of Estonia Hanno Pevkur (Getty Images)
NATO is considering deploying a German-Dutch corps of allied forces in Estonia. If the decision is positive, the forces will be based in the city of Pärnu, according to Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, quoted by ERR.
The final decision on the deployment of forces in Estonia will come during the current year.
This is an important part of NATO's broader strategic plan, which covers the area of responsibility, including the Baltic region. The deployment of the corps requires the infrastructure for 100-200 people: headquarters buildings, technical facilities, and necessary communications.
"This will affect not only our allies who perform command functions, but also Estonian servicemen, including conscripts. This is a strategically important step for the Defense Forces," the minister said.
The city of Pärnu has the appropriate infrastructure, including a nearby port, airfield, railroad, highway, and proximity to Riga.
The Estonian Ministry of Defense has planned to allocate 17 million euros for constructing infrastructure for the corps.
The risk of Russia's war with NATO
Intelligence from some European countries has warned that Russia may be preparing for a new military conflict, which could include a confrontation with NATO.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda admitted that Russia could launch a new attack in four to five years. According to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Moscow could build up forces for a war in Europe in two to three years.
Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Defense Intelligence, said that Russia is planning the largest rearmament since the 1980s. It will cost about 90 trillion rubles, which will be spent by 2030 to prepare for a war with NATO.
