Moscow warned on Friday that Estonia's expressed readiness to accept American F-35A fighters capable of carrying nuclear weapons poses a direct threat to Russia's security. The statement was made by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in response to an interview with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur published in the local publication Postimees.
Pevkur said that Tallinn is ready to accept fighter jets from NATO allies, including those with dual (including nuclear) capabilities, as part of a rotational presence to protect the airspace over the Baltics. "Of course, we are ready to receive our allies", the minister stressed, noting that the capabilities of the aircraft do not change Estonia's position.
The Kremlin described such readiness as an "immediate threat". "This is another absurd thought expressed by politicians from the Baltic region," Peskov said. He added that relations between Russia and the Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - are at a minimum and "almost cannot get worse".
The comments come after the United Kingdom announced its intention to purchase at least 12 F-35A aircraft, which can carry nuclear weapons. Tensions between Russia and NATO's eastern flank remain high, with the Baltic states demanding an increased presence of allied forces in view of the war in Ukraine and Russia's militarization of the region.