Baltic state’s president calls for dialogue with Russia – media

Estonian President Alar Karis has said the EU should be prepared for talks with Russia in case the Ukraine conflict ends suddenly, media outlets have reported. 

The remarks, made in an interview with the Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat and published on Monday, come after four years during which the EU has refused to engage in dialogue with Moscow.  

The Estonian president also dismissed claims that Russia could attack the Baltic state, arguing that they are driven by those seeking to harm Estonia or by outsiders projecting their own insecurity. “Perhaps they themselves are afraid of becoming potential targets,” he suggested.  

“Are we ready if the war ends today or tomorrow?” Karis said, adding that the EU should appoint a special envoy to reopen diplomatic channels with Russia.  

“Preparations should already be under way,” he said, arguing that in any future talks major powers in the bloc should not make decisions over the heads of smaller members. Since Estonia and Finland have “jointly invested in Ukraine,” they “must have the opportunity to have a say,” Karis insisted. 

Estonia, a NATO and EU member bordering Russia, has been a staunch supporter of Kiev since the escalation of the conflict in 2022.  

Last week, the European Commission announced that the bloc had formally approved a €90 billion ($105 billion) emergency loan for Ukraine for 2026-2027, backed by joint EU borrowing. The controversial measure, which had been the focus of a months-long standoff with Hungary, was approved shortly after Budapest lifted its veto, following the election win of pro-EU politician Peter Magyar. 

The idea of resuming dialogue with Russia has been discouraged by senior EU officials, particularly top diplomat Kaja Kallas, herself Estonian, who has urged Europeans not to pursue direct re-engagement with the Kremlin and has demanded that Moscow make concessions first. Russian officials have accused Kiev’s European backers of hindering US-led peace efforts and of increasingly preparing for a direct confrontation with Russia.  

Moscow has consistently dismissed Western claims that it poses a threat, calling them “nonsense” and “fearmongering” used to justify rising military spending, including the EU’s €800 billion “ReArm Europe” plan and NATO members’ pledge to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that although Moscow has no hostile intent, if European nations “prepare to attack Russia,” it would respond with “all available means.”