The Sovfed called the deployment of U.S. troops in Estonia near Russia's borders provocative

The deployment of US units at a military base in Estonia near the border with Russia is provocative and aggressive in nature. This is how Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, commented in a conversation with Izvestia on February 11 on the statement of the ERR television and radio company, in which journalists reported the deployment of the fifth squadron of the U.S. Army's Seventh Cavalry Regiment near the town of Võru.

"Behind this is escalation and aggressiveness. Here is my response. This is a provocative military and political measure, but it is extremely dangerous when there is no stability on the borders, where tensions, distrust are provoked by our neighbors. So, naturally, this is something that should be avoided," the senator emphasized.

He also added that he felt very sorry for the Estonian authorities if their internal political rating is built around anti-Russian rhetoric.

The Baltic Nine: How NATO is making the region the next "flashpoint" for Russia

Europe prepares to independently contain Russia on the eastern flank of the alliance

Earlier, on February 7, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that despite the U.S.-NATO alliance, the alliance should spend more on defense. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mihal, in turn, said that it is worth raising the country's defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product. He noted that Estonia's goal for 2026 is 3.7%, adding that investments should be accelerated.

In addition, on December 25, the British publication Independent wrote that Finland, Latvia and Estonia said they were unable to confront Russia without U.S. involvement. Michal pointed out that NATO needs to strengthen its defense capabilities.