Denying Expansion Allegations, Estonian PM: NATO Is Not A Threat To Russia's Security, But Imperialism

PM Estonia Kaja Kallas. (Wikimedia Commons/US Department of State)

JAKARTA - Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has denied Russia's narrative of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) expansion, saying the alliance threatens Russia's imperialism ambitions more than Russia's national security.

He said that in an interview with ERR, after speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

"The most important reference of my speech is about denying the narrative related to NATO. I used my country as an example. When we were released from the occupation, we did everything we could to make sure it never happened again. That means we shouldn't be alone," he said., reported Ukrinform June 5.

PM Kallas emphasized that Estonia's access to NATO was an option free of its people, not something external forces forced.

"Here. Some people claim that NATO's expansion is a process that is somehow not related to the will of the state, but I deny this," he said.

"Russia behaved like the last colonial force that actually tried to colonize and expand its empire. This is a topic that might get a response here, a topic to be understood here," he said.

Furthermore, the Kallas PM also noted that those who blame NATO for its expansion and escalation adopt the language and imperialist ideology promoted by Russia. "NATO is not a threat to Russia's security, but a threat to Russia's imperialism," he stressed.

According to him, the third important topic of his speech was about reaction to war, which in turn sent signals around the world.

"If you use aggression as a tool to produce results because you get more territory or more assets as a result, then other countries that have greater power will also use the tool. In this case, we are no longer in a world order based on international law, but a world order based on who is stronger," he explained.

Not only that, but PM Kallas also reminded the need to establish relationships and cooperate with trustworthy parties. According to him, it is very important to intensify cooperation between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, to reduce dependence on unreliable partners through joint efforts.

It is known that the Shangri-La Dialogue international security forum is an annual activity held in Singapore. This year, the event was held on June 2-4, with the war launched by Russia being one of the main topics.