Karis admitted that during the April funeral of Pope Francis, when both men sat side by side for two hours, he argued US President Donald Trump about the importance of maintaining troops in Eastern Europe.
“I explained everything,” said the Estonian president in Brussels. – The presence of American troops in Estonia – not only in Estonia, but throughout Europe – is crucial and is important not only for Europe, but also for the United States.
Although Karis felt reassured by some of Trump's statements, including his promise from this week about the maintenance of American troops in Poland, the Estonian leader emphasized that it is still “very difficult to predict” what Washington will do with his soldiers in the Baltic countries.
In his opinion, countries like Estonia “must be prepared for every scenario”, and the risk of the largest NATO member withdrawing “means that we should build our own potential. As the President of Estonia, he is the commander -in -chief of the country's armed forces and represents it in international relations.
The United States currently has about 2,000 soldiers stationed in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia) as part of strengthening the armed forces following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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The Pentagon is currently reviewing its global arrangement of the armed forces and is to announce the results at the end of this month. Although the content of the review is unknown, it is prepared under the direction of the Undersecretary of Defense for the Policy of Elbridge Colby, which openly supports the reduction of the US presence in Europe.
“Much depends on the mood of Trump”
Karis's visit to Brussels, where he met with the Secretary General of NATO Marek Rutte, coincided with the meeting of EU leaders as part of the “Coalition of Volunteers”, which is working on safety guarantees for Ukraine. A spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the meeting, who clearly said that Moscow would not accept the presence of any foreign troops in Ukraine as part of a potential suspension of weapons.
Karis said, however, that Moscow should have nothing to say in this matter: – Russia began this aggression … The answer is definitely: no.
On Thursday evening, EU leaders were to present Trump's applications from their work on security guarantees. Asked if he expected Trump to increase the pressure on Putin, Karis – whose country has committed to sending troops as part of this initiative “He said” a lot depends on Trump's mood “.
EPA / Olivier Hoslet / PAP
Secretary General NATO Mark Rutte and President of Estonia Alar Karis before meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, September 3, 2025.
“At the moment, Estonia and many European countries support Trump's activities,” said Karis. – He talked to Putin many times and nothing happens … I think he is losing patience.
Karis arrived in Brussels only a few days after the Russian rocket attack damaged the EU delegation building in Kiev – an event that he considered not accidental. “Putin's only mistake was to start the war,” he said.
Then he warned that European countries “they should not be naive“In terms of the intentions of the Kremlin, because he will broadcast Western democracies in the coming months, for example by interfering with parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic, which will take place on October 3-4. He rejected the view that Estonia and other Baltic States should be more afraid of Moscow's expansionism, just because they borders with Russia.
– Modern bullets can start with Moscow and reach Hagi and Brussels in just a few minutes – he emphasized.
“Conversations and persuasion”
As one of the most ardent supporters of Ukraine at the table of the European Council, Karis expressed the hope that Kiev would be able to start formal negotiations on joining the Union before the end of the rotational presidency of Denmark, which will end on December 31.
When asked how an alliance could overcome Hungary's resistance, which currently blocking Ukraine's accession, he replied: – We should work on this one country … Maybe we should talk to more with [premierem Węgier Viktorem Orbanem]not just stigmatize him to find a solution.
He added that another possibility is: “Hungary leave the room and we make a decision.”
Karis took a similar position in relation to Israel, towards which several European countries are pressing to limit commercial relations or withdrawing European financing for Israeli scientific research in connection with the violation of human rights in the Gaza Strip. The Estonian leader – who last month met with his Israeli equivalent of Isaak Herzog – said that he believes in the “conviction” of Israeli leaders to stop violating human rights in the Gaza Strip.
Asked if he supports the initiative to cut off European financing for scientific research for Israelua, he assessed: – Israeli scientists are extremely good. If we start such actions [odcięcie finansowania programu “Horyzont” dla Izraela, jak zaproponowała Komisja Europejska]we will also cut something for ourselves. – There are other solutions. Conversations and convincing – he added.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
