Estonian PM warns of Russia's military rise: NATO faces 3‑5 year challenge on eastern flank

Kallas emphasized that these projections are based on evaluations by Estonian intelligence, which predict that the overhaul of the Russian army will be complete in three to five years. "Our intelligence suggests that this will take from three to five years, and much of it hinges on how we manage to preserve unity and our stance on the issue concerning Ukraine," Kallas noted.

The Prime Minister also shared her worries about Russia's strategy, which she perceives as a calculated move to consolidate resources and strength. "Russia desires a pause, a hiatus to amass resources and forces. Weakness stimulates aggressors; hence, it incites Russia," Kallas added.

Kallas confessed in the interview that preserving NATO unity is an increasingly arduous task, particularly with signs of war exhaustion being apparent in several Western countries. She assessed that "the prospect of Donald Trump reclaiming the US presidential office diminishes the deterrent effect of NATO."

The Estonian Prime Minister stressed on the fact that in due course, NATO will need to adopt a Cold War-style strategy to deter Russia, recommending that defense expenses should constitute a minimum of 2.5% of annual GDP in Western countries.

In her reference to a report by Estonian intelligence, Kallas brought to light that Moscow views Estonia as one of the most undefended components of NATO, making it the most probable target of a potential attack.