Defending Tomorrow Together: The Baltic Sea Region in a Stronger Europe

Dear President Stubb,
Dear cadets and officers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for the opportunity to speak here today.
The Santahamina National Defence University holds a special place in Estonia’s story. In some ways it is where our Defence Forces were reborn.
In the early 1990s, as we rebuilt our Defence Forces, the first generations of Estonian officers were trained here.

Many of our today’s top commanders – for example our chief of defence, our deputy chief of defence, the commander of our Defence League, and the commander of the Estonian Military Academy – are alumni of this institution. 

Santahamina’s value lies not only in the education it provides, but in the connections it forges. Connections that make our military cooperation faster and more natural.
I am pleased that we have now resumed sending our young officers here – to carry these ties forward. Finland did not only support Estonia with education – you shaped our
whole approach to defence. Following Finland’s example, we established the total defence concept, as well as a strong conscript and reservist system. We directly adopted the higher state defence courses for civilians and officials. And we are developing a civilian defence and crisis preparedness model, similar to yours. 

Estonia’s defence would not look the way it does today without your support and your example. We have not forgotten that. And when the time came, it was only natural for us to help Finland’s swift integration into NATO defence structures.

Today our countries are closer than ever. With defence cooperation that has no limits – whether in planning, exercises, or joint procurement of military equipment. And the will to
defend is equally strong in both our countries – over 80 percent of our people stand ready to defend their nation. But let me turn from the past and present to what lies ahead. It is clear, that Russia will remain the biggest military threat to Europe for the foreseeable future. But this threat is no longer only conventional. The line between peace and war is fading. We see it in disruptions to undersea infrastructure. In shadow fleets. In drones and airspace violations. They are part of a pattern – and they demand constant vigilance.

Readiness is no longer something we prepare for. It is something we must maintain every day. Our forces are already operating at that level. Estonia’s Navy and Defence Forces have been on continuous operations along our borders for over a year. Furthermore, these threats do not respect borders. The Baltic Sea region is one operational space – at sea, in the air, and below the surface. It cannot be divided. It must be defended together. That is why our cooperation matters so much. Estonia and Finland are already working side by side – sharing information, coordinating operations, acting together at sea and in the air.

This is the right path, and we must continue along it. But it’s also time to go further. Our cooperation should not only deepen – it should expand. The Nordic-Baltic Eight, for example, is already one of the most interconnected regions in Europe. We share the same values. We share a clear understanding of the threats
we face – and the solutions they require. We have also been at the forefront of supporting Ukraine. Now, it is time to translate that unity into even stronger defence
cooperation. Because together, we are not small. On the contrary – we are a serious strategic force. Collectively, the Nordic-Baltic countries spend more on defence than France.

We have over 120,000 active service personnel, modern air forces, and capable navies. Together, we are a credible military force. Stronger cooperation means faster responses and better coordination. But it also means stronger deterrence. And deterrence is what prevents
conflict. 

But ladies and gentlemen,
Regional formats must never become substitutes for NATO or the European Union. But a strength within them. NATO remains the most successful military alliance in history. It has kept peace in Europe for nearly 80 years. The European Union has reinforced that peace through cooperation, interdependence, and shared institutions. These alliances are unique in the world. 

Despite the current challenges, I am sure, that this is not the end of NATO yet. Instead, we are at a point where our Alliances require renewal and a deliberate effort to reinforce their strengths. The message from the United States is clear: Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence. And that is right. Now, we Europeans must prove – through action – that we are ready to carry our share of the burden. And here, the Nordic-Baltic region can serve in a leadership role.

By keeping our region secure and prepared, we set the standard. We show that commitment, investment, and readiness are possible. And with that we are a strong voice in broader European security matters and decisions. Our unity therefore does not only make the Baltic Sea region more secure – it also helps build a stronger Europe within NATO.

Finally, ladies and gentlemen,
There is one more point we must not overlook. We often believe we understand Russia well. But today, no one understands the Russian threat and military logic better than Ukraine. Ukraine is where the rules of European security are being challenged – and defended. Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO and the European Union. That is essential for a value-based, free and secure Europe. We in the NordicBaltic region understand this. And we must continue to lead in supporting Ukraine’s path toward NATO and European Union membership – as soon as possible. Some may call this optimism. But as Aleksis Kivi wrote: “A strong will carries a man through grey stone.”

If there is a will, there is a way.
Thank you.