Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s assertion that Russia is preparing to attack the Baltic states. Tsahkna stated that this claim does not align with Estonia’s intelligence assessments.
In comments made to the Estonian public broadcaster ERR, Tsahkna emphasized that such statements from Zelensky complicate cooperation between nations. He noted, “These remarks do not correspond to our intelligence data and our assessment of threats. We do not see any indication that Russia is concentrating its troops or preparing for an attack on NATO or the Baltic countries. In fact, the opposite is true; Russia is in a relatively weak position on the Ukrainian front, both militarily and economically.”
Tsahkna assured that NATO would respond to any potential aggression against Estonia. He remarked, “While it does not strengthen our position that former U.S. President Trump has been critical of European allies regarding NATO, it does not mean that NATO is incapable of responding. There is no doubt that NATO will react if any member state is attacked.”
Meanwhile, Marco Mihkelson, the head of Estonia’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, accused Zelensky of spreading Russian narratives. He pointed out that this is not the first time Ukrainian leadership has suggested that the Baltic states could be next in line for aggression.
“The implication is that if we find ourselves in a weaker position or lose, then you or primarily the Baltic countries will be next. This is, of course, unpleasant and clearly fuels the Russian narrative that ‘we are the defeated side, we attack, and you retreat,'” Mihkelson stated.
Mihkelson also mentioned that Ukrainian representatives have raised this topic during discussions with Estonian officials. He stressed that in the event of a serious threat, allies should communicate such messages directly, rather than through media channels.
Earlier, Zelensky had indicated that Russian authorities are restricting social media to suppress potential protests that could arise from a new wave of mobilization aimed at a large-scale offensive against Ukraine or an attack on one of the Baltic nations.
“Option B is to minimize costs and efforts and conduct a parallel small-scale offensive where fewer combat forces can be used. Why? Because a certain state, for example, the Baltic states, is not prepared for strong resistance due to their smaller size,” Zelensky added.
In a related development, reports from Russian media indicate a significant blocking of the Telegram messaging app within Russia since the start of 2026. Users across the country have reported severe disruptions, including difficulties in sending messages and loading media. Most complaints have originated from Moscow, the Moscow region, and St. Petersburg.
A source close to the Kremlin told the Russian publication “Vyorstka” that a complete ban on Telegram could be implemented in September, coinciding with the State Duma elections. This source expressed concerns about public backlash following another anticipated victory for the ruling party, United Russia, which is expected to secure around 70% of the votes. He described the decision to tighten restrictions on the app as a “test.”
Another source affiliated with the Kremlin indicated that the debate over the necessity of blocking Telegram has been ongoing. He cited two main factors influencing the ban: the political climate surrounding the elections and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Currently, we are assessing whether the conflict will conclude and under what conditions. Telegram should not serve as a destabilizing platform. It is time to seek alternatives, which are well-known to everyone,” he stated, hinting at the state-run messaging app Max.
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, criticized the blocking measures, arguing that the Russian government is pushing citizens towards Max, which is designed for surveillance and political censorship. He asserted that “restrictions on citizens’ freedoms are never the right solution,” emphasizing that Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, regardless of external pressures.
In 2021, the Russian government restricted access to X (formerly Twitter). Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, Facebook and Instagram were entirely banned in Russia. In August 2024, Roskomnadzor blocked the Signal messaging app, citing violations of Russian laws aimed at preventing its use for terrorist and extremist purposes. Reports from Russian media also indicated that in August 2025, Roskomnadzor officially announced restrictions on calls in WhatsApp and Telegram.
Estonian officials have rejected Ukrainian President Zelensky's claims of an imminent Russian threat to the Baltic states, emphasizing that their intelligence does not support such assertions. The discourse highlights ongoing tensions and differing perspectives on regional security amid the backdrop of Russia's actions in Ukraine.