Moscow: The Kremlin has condemned Estonia’s expression of readiness to host U.S.-made F-35A stealth fighter jets, which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, calling it a direct threat to Russia’s security.
Speaking to Estonia's Postimees newspaper, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the country was prepared to station the advanced aircraft if needed, regardless of their potential nuclear capabilities. Estonia, which borders Russia, currently serves as a rotational base for NATO air patrols safeguarding Baltic airspace.
"Our position on hosting F-35s remains unchanged, even if they are dual-capable,” Pevkur stated. “We are absolutely prepared to welcome our NATO allies.”
His remarks came in the wake of the United Kingdom’s announcement to procure at least 12 F-35A jets that will be assigned to NATO’s nuclear mission.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, responding to the comments in an interview with Life news outlet, said the move would pose a “clear and immediate threat” to Russia. He criticized the stance of Baltic leaders, calling their remarks “absurd” and reflective of a broader hostile posture.
“Our relations with the Baltic states are already near nonexistent,” Peskov added. “There’s hardly room left for them to deteriorate further.”
The Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — have consistently taken a strong stance within NATO amid heightened regional tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
