Headlines
Estonia says Russia planning military buildup to shift power in Europe
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 10, 2026
Quick Summary
Estonia's intelligence report warns of Russia's military buildup, urging NATO to enhance defenses as Europe rearmaments continue.
Estonia Warns of Russian Military Buildup Amid European Tensions
Russia's Military Strategy and European Response
By Andrius Sytas
VILNIUS, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Russia has no intention of launching a military attack on any NATO state this year or next, but is racing to rebuild its forces as Europe steps up its rearmament, Estonia's foreign intelligence service said in its annual report on Tuesday.
The NATO member, which borders Russia, has been one of Moscow's sharpest critics and a strong supporter of Ukraine.
Concerns Over Russian Actions
"(Europe) must invest in defence and internal security, so that...in the future Russia would conclude it has no chance against NATO countries," the head of the service, Kaupo Rosin, told reporters.
Implications for NATO and Europe
"We see that the Russian leadership is very concerned about...European rearmament, they see that Europe might be able to conduct independent military action against Russia in two to three years," said Rosin. Russia's goal now is to "delay and hinder" this, he added.
Geopolitical Dynamics with China
Ammunition production is expanding so rapidly that Russia will be able to stockpile supplies for future wars while continuing to fight in Ukraine, the intelligence service said.
Any Russian attack on Estonia would involve drones "on land, in the air and at sea, simultaneously across Estonia's entire territory," it added.
RELATIONS WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
The Estonian intelligence said the Kremlin continues to regard U.S. as its principal global adversary, while feigning readiness to cooperate in order to secure the removal of U.S. sanctions.
"This change stemmed from the Kremlin's ambition to exploit the new U.S. administration to restore bilateral relations and pursue a settlement that would formalise Ukraine's defeat," it said.
"Despite this illusory thaw, Russia's aims remain unchanged: it seeks to marginalise the United States and NATO and to reshape Europe's security architecture according to Moscow's vision," it added.
It said China sees a useful ally in Russia to marginalise the West, and a source of energy if a conflict with Taiwan leads to sanctions or a maritime blockade. The countries share military technology research.
"Any concessions made to Russia would, in effect, also fuel China's global ambitions," the report said.
(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in VilniusEditing by Ros Russell)
Key Takeaways
- •Estonia warns of Russian military buildup amid European tensions.
- •Russia aims to delay Europe's military capabilities.
- •NATO urged to invest in defense against potential threats.
- •Russia and China share military technology research.
- •Kremlin views the U.S. as a principal adversary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Estonia says Russia planning military buildup to shift power in Europe
1What is NATO?
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of countries from North America and Europe, established for mutual defense against aggression.
2What is military buildup?
Military buildup refers to the process of increasing a nation's military capabilities, including personnel, equipment, and infrastructure, often in response to perceived threats.
3What is rearmament?
Rearmament is the act of rebuilding or increasing a country's military forces, often after a period of disarmament or reduced military capability.
4What is ammunition production?
Ammunition production involves the manufacturing of various types of ammunition for military use, including bullets, shells, and explosives.
5What is a military attack?
A military attack is an offensive operation conducted by armed forces against an enemy, aiming to achieve strategic objectives through the use of force.
