If a hasty ceasefire agreement is signed between Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin will order his troops to move from eastern Ukraine to NATO borders, focus.de reports, citing the Estonian Defense Ministry.
NATO countries bordering Russia are concerned about a possible peace agreement in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin could use this to strengthen his strategic position. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur warned that in the event of a ceasefire, “hundreds of thousands of soldiers“ could be withdrawn from eastern Ukraine and moved to the border with NATO countries.
These troops could give Russia the opportunity to either attack Ukraine again or threaten NATO members. A ceasefire would put Russia in a strong position to rebuild its forces, military experts say.
Donald Trump could potentially propose that Ukraine not join NATO for 20 years while the United States continues to supply weapons to deter Russia from further attacks. That move would freeze the front lines between Russia and Ukraine and create a demilitarized zone, violating the “plan for victory” proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Any hasty decision to war would be a loss for Ukraine,” Zelensky stressed.
Estonia and other Baltic states fear that Russia could significantly increase its military presence in their region. NATO must therefore build a strong deterrent to ensure that Russia would never dare to launch an attack on the alliance.
Russia sees the region around the Baltic Sea as strategically important. Kaliningrad in particular, which is located between NATO members, remains a critical point. The Baltic Fleet located there and other military capabilities could be used against NATO territory.