Russia’s fury escalates as Estonia opens its doors to NATO nuclear-capable F-35 stealth jets, marking another dangerous flashpoint on NATO’s eastern flank.
Key Takeaways
- Estonia has officially expressed readiness to host NATO’s F-35A stealth jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, regardless of their nuclear capability.
- The Kremlin has condemned the move as an “immediate danger” to Russian security, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing it as one of many “absurd thoughts” from Baltic politicians.
- Estonia currently serves as a rotating base for NATO jets protecting Baltic airspace and shares a border with Russia.
- Britain recently decided to purchase at least 12 F-35A jets for NATO’s airborne nuclear mission, which could potentially be deployed to Estonian bases.
- Russia has minimal diplomatic relations with the Baltic states, further complicating the security situation in the region.
Estonia’s Nuclear-Capable Jet Proposal
Estonia has signaled its willingness to host NATO allies’ F-35A stealth fighter jets, advanced aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This development comes as NATO continues to strengthen its eastern flank in response to perceived Russian aggression. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur made the country’s position clear, emphasizing that Estonia would welcome these advanced aircraft regardless of their dual-use capabilities that enable them to deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads.
“If some of them, regardless of their country of origin, have a dual-use capability to carry nuclear weapons, it doesn’t affect our position on hosting F-35s in any way,” Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur.
Estonia already serves as a rotating base for NATO aircraft tasked with protecting Baltic airspace. The country shares a 183-mile border with Russia, making its strategic position crucial for NATO’s defense posture in the region. Pevkur reinforced Estonia’s commitment to supporting the alliance’s collective defense arrangements, adding: “Of course, we are ready to host our allies.” This declaration aligns with the country’s ongoing efforts to bolster regional security architecture against what they perceive as Russian threats.
Kremlin’s Sharp Response
Moscow’s reaction to Estonia’s announcement was swift and severe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the potential deployment as an “immediate danger” to Russia’s security interests. The Russian government views this development as the latest in a series of provocative moves by NATO to encircle Russia with military capabilities that directly threaten its sovereignty. Peskov’s comments reflect the Kremlin’s growing frustration with what it perceives as NATO’s aggressive eastward expansion.
“Of course it would be an immediate danger,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov didn’t stop at labeling the move dangerous. He went further by dismissing Baltic leaders as irrational actors, stating that “unfortunately, the leaders of the Baltic countries express a lot of absurd opinions.” This dismissive rhetoric underscores the deteriorating relations between Russia and its Baltic neighbors, with Peskov noting that Russia maintains minimal diplomatic contact with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These former Soviet republics have been among the most vocal critics of Russian foreign policy since gaining independence.
🚨⚡️ RUSSIA WARNS NATO:
Kremlin Spokesman Peskov slams Estonia’s move to host NATO nuclear-capable jets — calling it a direct threat to Russian security.
He warns the West: “We will not ignore this provocation.”
-: The line is being crossed. pic.twitter.com/AWGWaU4dFt
— RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) June 28, 2025
Broader Strategic Context
Estonia’s willingness to host F-35A stealth fighters comes amid heightened tensions in Europe and significant shifts in NATO’s strategic posture. Britain recently decided to purchase at least 12 F-35A jets specifically for NATO’s airborne nuclear mission, signaling the alliance’s commitment to maintaining credible deterrence capabilities. These aircraft represent cutting-edge military technology that dramatically enhances NATO’s operational reach and precision strike capabilities along Russia’s borders.
The Baltic states have consistently advocated for increased NATO presence in their territories since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. This latest development represents a significant escalation in the regional security landscape, with nuclear-capable aircraft potentially stationed just minutes flying time from major Russian cities and military installations. For Estonia, hosting such advanced weapons systems represents both a security guarantee and a potential lightning rod for Russian retaliation.
Russia’s concerns about NATO encirclement have grown substantially in recent years, with the alliance adding Finland and moving toward Swedish membership. The potential deployment of nuclear-capable F-35s to Estonia would mark another major shift in the regional balance of power, providing NATO with advanced first-strike capabilities directly on Russia’s doorstep. This development guarantees continued tension along NATO’s eastern flank as both sides strengthen their military postures in the increasingly militarized Baltic region.
