Estonian politicians strongly criticized Zelenskyy: by intimidating the Baltic countries, he will not succeed
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a TV interview that the restriction of internet access in Russia may be related to mobilization for an attack on the Baltic countries. In Estonia, they parry: Zelenskyy voiced a Kremlin narrative, and similar statements do not facilitate cooperation, writes ERR.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Pier Marco Tacca / Getty Images
In a Sunday interview with the national telethon, Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Russia is blocking the internet not to suppress government criticism, but to prevent dissatisfaction that a planned large-scale mobilization might cause. According to the Ukrainian President's assessment, the purpose of the mobilization is a massive attack on Ukraine or the Baltic countries.
Zelenskyy expressed doubts when asked whether NATO would invoke Article 5 on collective defense in the event of an attack on the Baltic countries.
“I think that perhaps not all countries will want to support [the Baltics], but in my opinion, NATO countries have no choice — otherwise NATO will no longer exist. They must act and respond to what Putin could potentially do,” Zelenskyy said.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told ERR that Ukraine has repeatedly indicated since the start of the full-scale war in 2022 that they may not be the only ones Russia attacks. Moreover, the Baltic countries were explicitly mentioned.
According to Tsahkna, such statements from an ally do not simplify cooperation in any way. In addition, the minister added that there is no truth in Zelenskyy's words.
“Such statements, firstly, do not correspond to our intelligence data and our threat assessment. We do not see Russia concentrating its troops or otherwise preparing militarily for an attack on NATO or the Baltic countries — rather the opposite. Russia is in a not very strong position on the Ukrainian front, as well as economically,” Tsahkna noted.
According to Tsahkna, one cannot speak of the destruction of NATO's Article Five.
“Of course, it doesn't add strength that US President Trump is critical of European allies in the context of NATO. But this does not mean that NATO is unable to react. NATO will absolutely react if one or another member state is attacked; there are no doubts about that,” Tsahkna stated, emphasizing that Estonia, in addition to the alliance, also has its own defense capability.
Mihkelson: These messages definitely fuel the Russian narrative
Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) Foreign Affairs Committee, also noted that this is not the first time the Ukrainian leadership has stated that the Baltic countries are next.
“They are as if pointing a threatening finger at Europe. As if to say, look, if we somehow end up in a weaker position or lose, then you will be next, or mainly the Baltic countries. This is, of course, unpleasant and fuels the Russian narrative that 'we are the victorious side, we are attacking, and you are retreating and losing,'” Mihkelson said.
According to Mihkelson, this topic was also raised at meetings with Ukrainians. He believes that in the event of a serious threat, allies should exchange such messages among themselves, rather than raising a commotion in the media. At the same time, messages conveyed through the press often remain at the level of speculation.
“Zelenskyy emphasized that NATO must be united and ready to react to Putin's actions. I agree that no one has undermined confidence in Article Five as much as US President Donald Trump, but the President of Ukraine is also undermining it now,” Mihkelson stated.
According to the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the President of Ukraine should not contribute to the dissemination of Russian theses.
Martin Helme: We ourselves created this narrative
According to EKRE leader Martin Helme, there is nothing new in Zelenskyy's message; however, in his opinion, Estonia itself contributed to the creation of this narrative.
“It seems to me that they [diplomats] actually created this narrative themselves. From the very beginning of the war in Ukraine, the main message of the Reform Party was that people needed to be driven mad with fear of Russia, and under the guise of this fear, any taxes could be raised and the domestic political opposition demonized as Kremlin accomplices,” Helme said.
Zelenskyy's goal in such speeches, according to Helme, is to create a background of fear that would force allies to give him more equipment.
“Endlessly stressing people out and intimidating them no longer works to make everyone act more focused on preventing a military threat or better planning — it has turned into rhetorical attacks,” Helme said.