Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that foreign policy should not be treated as a subject for abstract academic discussion, commenting on recent foreign policy remarks made by President Alar Karis. He also emphasised that Estonia could, if required, agree to the deployment of allied nuclear weapons on its territory.
Speaking on local television, Tsahkna said he has not yet held a meeting with the president. As both officials are currently engaged in overseas visits, it remains uncertain whether they will meet before Estonia’s Independence Day.
The minister rejected the idea that differing positions on foreign policy are the result of insufficient communication. According to him, Estonia’s foreign policy follows a clearly defined course shaped through multiple political forums and backed by broad public and parliamentary consensus.
He stressed that Estonia’s strategic objectives remain unchanged — maintaining pressure on Russia while continuing strong support for Ukraine. Tsahkna underlined that safeguarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity remains a central pillar of Estonia’s foreign policy.
In his view, the president should act within the framework of the agreed national foreign policy line and avoid taking positions simply to stand out. Tsahkna said Estonia’s aim is not to appear more interesting internationally, but to ensure clarity and consistency in its messaging, which he described as a key factor behind the country’s foreign policy success.
The minister added that his response to the president’s statements was not excessive, noting that he received numerous inquiries from international partners accustomed to Estonia expressing a clear and unified stance. When differing views are voiced by the head of state, he said, clarification becomes necessary.
Tsahkna called for putting disagreements behind and maintaining a coordinated foreign policy approach. He also dismissed opposition accusations that his criticism of the president was motivated by domestic political considerations ahead of the upcoming Riigikogu elections, stressing that the government’s priority is to defend Estonia’s interests internationally rather than address speculation about a shift in support for Ukraine.
Commenting on nuclear deterrence, the foreign minister said Europe should not reject NATO’s shared nuclear deterrence framework. He added that Estonia has no doctrine prohibiting the deployment of allied nuclear weapons and would be prepared to host them if the alliance deemed such a step necessary under its defence planning.
By Tamilla Hasanova
