Estonian PM calls for being prepared to respond to possible threats from Russia
TALLINN. Oct 28 (Interfax) - While it is unlikely that Russia may threaten Estonia's security, the country should be prepared for such a threat, Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said.
"Estonia should be prepared to respond to threats from Russia, even if their likelihood is negligibly small," the government press service quoted Roivas as saying at the Estonian National Defense Course on Friday.
The prime minister said he was sure that, "in the foreseeable future, Russia will not give up its offensive and unpredictable activities to exert influence on Western countries, using its aggressive foreign policy, diplomacy, economic relations, informational operations, and cyberspace to this end," he said.
"In order to be sure that these threats are not materialized, it's best to be prepared for them," he said.
"National defense is not only fighting vehicles and camouflage uniforms," he said.
"All people living in Estonia should make their contribution to it; the public and private sector, the media, and society as a whole should make some effort to ensure welfare of its members, minimize differences, and avoid polarization," Roivas said.
Estonia is highly respected by its allies, Roivas said. "Estonia's defense expenditures are higher than the NATO requirement of 2% of GDP, and our expertise in cyber matters is highly valued worldwide," he said.