Estonia's prime minister urges the US and NATO to take a stronger stance against Russia.

Amid uncertainty about continued U.S. support for Ukraine, European leaders have been increasing their defense spending and industrial capabilities. Leading the charge is Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who at 46 is Estonia's first female prime minister. Kallas is known for her tough stance on Russia, with some critics joking that she eats them for breakfast. Despite Russia's interior minister issuing a warrant for her arrest earlier this year for removing Soviet monuments, Kallas has remained unyielding.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Kallas has become one of Putin's loudest critics, and when asked to respond to those who say she is too tough on him, she replied, "Can you be tough enough on Putin, considering what he has done?"

Kallas has been considered for the role of NATO Secretary General, but some critics argue that she is too hawkish to lead the alliance. In response, Kallas stated that she believes Putin should not have a say in how NATO manages its alliance.

If our attitudes towards Russia prevent us from taking top positions, then we are giving too much power to Putin to decide how we run our alliances, Kallas said.

Estonia, a NATO member, has a 210-mile border with Russia and spends 1.35% of its 3.2% annual GDP on defense, which amounts to $378 billion a year to fight the Russians.

Estonia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and later joined NATO in 2004. In 2007, Russia launched a massive cyberattack on Estonia, targeting its parliament, banks, and news organizations. The attack lasted 22 days. Today, Estonia serves as the headquarters for NATO's cyber defense.

Kallas stated that the attacks in 2007 were not comparable to the attacks that Estonia now prevents daily. "We have invested heavily in cybersecurity to prevent these attacks from occurring," Kallas said. However, the cybersecurity of hospitals remains a significant concern. "There is a possibility of civilian casualties, so we must prepare," Kallas stated.

Kallas refers to the cyberattacks as part of a shadow war that is taking place within our societies. These attacks are effective in pouring fuel onto existing fires, and we must remain vigilant.

Kallas is concerned about more than just direct conflict with Russia. She wants to prevent a shadow war. This is why she advised against negotiating with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, as former President Trump has suggested he will do if elected.

Kallas stated that while war is undesirable and peace is preferable, it's important to recognize the distinction between true peace and mere absence of conflict.

In 1949, Joseph Stalin's mother was only six months old when her family was sent to a Soviet prison camp in Siberia. These Gulag labor camps across Russia held them captive for ten years before they were released.

Kallas stated that even after a war ends, it does not necessarily imply the existence of peace.

"Although peace was achieved in Russia, it did not prevent human suffering from continuing. Our country experienced the loss of one fifth of our population through deportation or death. Our language and culture were suppressed during this time of peace. Therefore, peace under Russian terms does not guarantee an end to human suffering."

Kallas stated that if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, it will trigger other conflicts globally, echoing the events of the 1930s that led to WWII.

"The use of aggression in certain situations can lead to an invitation to use it elsewhere. The tensions in the South China Sea, Iran, and North Korea indicate that we can expect more conflicts around the world. The aggressors or potential aggressors are taking note and learning from these situations."

Kallas stated that Russia aims to make the West doubt Ukraine's ability to win the war by saying, "No war has been won when you don't have a victory as a goal." He emphasized that this is not the time to negotiate.

If the U.S. stops supporting Ukraine, Russia will emerge victorious. This would make China, Iran, and North Korea the dominant world powers, which is not desirable.