TALLINN, Estonia (AP) 鈥� With nearing the one-year mark, a top Estonian defense leader warned that if Vladimir Putin is not stopped now, he could entangle the region in a larger conflict, perhaps one with even greater security implications for the U.S.
That鈥檚 because Russia has shown it will keep trying to retake territories that were once part of the Soviet Union and, so far, and its significant military losses in Ukraine have not changed Putin鈥檚 larger goals, said Kristjan M盲e, the head of the Estonian Ministry of Defense鈥檚 NATO and EU department, as U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited the Baltic nation on Thursday.
Estonia, which borders Russia, was forcefully incorporated into the Soviet Union during World War II and gained its independence only with the Soviet collapse in 1991. It joined NATO and the European Union in 2004.
鈥淚f we do not solve this war at this moment, where it is, first of all, there鈥檚 going to be a bigger war,鈥� M盲e said.
And a larger war could have a significant impact on the United States鈥� , he said.
鈥淚f Europe is tied down with this war, then the European support, allied support politically, militarily to Indo-Pacific area is going to be limited as well, it鈥檚 going to be hampered,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o the primary focus, the short term focus should be defeating Russia where it is. This is the time. It鈥檚 not just the spring, but in general, this is the time to do this.鈥�
The U.S. and allies have been pressing to get tanks and ammunition into Kyiv this spring to help Ukraine seize what is considered a critical moment in the war.
Austin鈥檚 visit to Estonia was also to offer reassurance. U.S. forces have been in constant rotation in Estonia since the invasion began as part of a commitment to defend NATO鈥檚 eastern flank.
At a news conference in Tallinn on Thursday, Austin was asked how Estonia could be sure it would have America鈥檚 protection if Russia presses through.
In response, Austin recalled his pre-invasion pledge to the Estonian defense minister: 鈥淚 told him that if Russia invaded Ukraine, we would deploy forces to Estonia the next day. And we did. We were the first to be here. And we meant every word we said, and we鈥檒l live up to our commitments going forward,鈥� Austin said.
The pledges of military support both to the eastern flank and to Kyiv come as Ukraine is girding for what is expected to be an intense ground battle in the east and south to try to take back some of the territory seized by Russia, even as Russia amasses hundreds of thousands of troops inside Ukraine for the spring fight.
But many of the Western weapon systems that have been pledged, such as the Bradley fighting vehicles and Patriot missile defense systems, and scores of Leopard and Abrams tanks, are not yet on the battlefield, which has raised questions as to whether that aid will arrive in time to make a difference.
鈥淚t鈥檚 never too late,鈥� Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said during the news conference with Austin. 鈥淲hen there鈥檚 a hope, and when there鈥檚 a last man standing, there is, there is a chance to win this war,鈥� Pevkur said. 鈥淎s long as we as international allies, international partners of Ukraine, can deliver them what they need.鈥�
Tara Copp, The Associated Press
