Deutsche Welle
April 15, 2015
Germany assures Estonia of NATO backing
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen kicked off a two-day visit to the Baltic states on Tuesday.
In the Estonian capital, Tallinn, she pledged her government’s continued support as the region faces possible military aggression from Russia.
“Your concerns are also our concerns,” von der Leyen told reporters and her Estonian counterpart, Sven Mikser.
All three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – belong to NATO…
The EU has repeatedly levied sanctions on Russia in a bid to force it to halt all cooperation with eastern Ukrainian separatists. However, despite a ceasefire agreement, a lasting peace in eastern Ukraine remains tenuous amid reports of continued fighting.
Tallinn wants more support
…
Estonion Defense Minister Mikser urged NATO to improve its resources and the country’s prime minister, Taavi Roivas called for a great troop presence.
“Estonia is of the opinion that there could be a continuous presence of European allies in [both] Estonia and the Baltic region under Germany’s leadership,” Roivas said, additionally thanking Berlin for contributing its air force to the Baltics surveillance mission.
Germany, alongside fellow NATO allies the UK and the US, have been patrolling Baltic airspace…
More German troops by 2016
Von der Leyen attempted to dismiss the concern and reassure the government in Tallinn that it shouldn’t “underestimate NATO’s response capabilities.”
By 2016, a total of 5,000 German soldiers would participate in NATO exercises in eastern Europe, she added.
The German defense chief was scheduled to travel to Latvia later on Tuesday and then to Lithuania on Wednesday where she would hold similar meetings.
The military alliance announced plans in February to set up six regional command and control control centers in eastern European nations, namely Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria, so its rapid response force could be mobilized quickly.
Source