By Mummy Grace Estonian Politicians React to Trump’s Plans and the Call for Higher Defense Spending
Estonia’s political scene is buzzing over the recent call from U.S. President Donald Trump for NATO allies, including Estonia, to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP annually. While Estonia’s political parties often disagree on many things, they seem to be united on one front: the need to increase defense spending.
During a defense-focused debate on “Esimene stuudio” on January 22, 2025, Estonia’s leading politicians discussed Trump’s plans, the global impact of his second term, and how this would affect Estonia’s security. The consensus was clear—Estonia needs to follow suit and raise defense spending, though not everyone is on the same page about how exactly to get there.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform Party) led the charge, calling for 5% of GDP to be allocated to defense. Raimond Kaljulaid (SDE) echoed this, saying it was an expected move from his party. Meanwhile, Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) and Mart Helme (EKRE) took a slightly different angle, stressing that the real issue isn’t percentages but ensuring critical defense capabilities are secured, even if it means going beyond the 5% figure.
The challenge, however, is in actually making this happen. Kalev Stoicescu from Eesti 200 pointed out that discussions with neighboring countries like Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland show that Estonia will likely need to increase its defense budget soon. Still, the specifics—like timing and funding—remain to be hammered out in coalition talks.
Trump’s Influence on Global Politics
Naturally, Trump’s presidency is a hot topic in this debate. Some Estonian politicians believe Trump aims to shake up the world order, making America’s position in global politics stronger while pushing European countries, including Estonia, to step up their defense efforts.
While some believe Trump’s focus on Russia and energy policies could hurt Russia’s economy, others like Kaljulaid are worried that Europe’s special relationship with the U.S. will fade under Trump, with Europe being treated as just another region in the global mix.
But there’s a bigger picture. While Trump’s policies might push NATO members to increase their defense budgets, Mihhail Kõlvart (Center Party) cautioned that Estonia’s defense spending is still limited by its economic situation. Even if Estonia hits 5% of GDP, it wouldn’t be enough without the support of NATO allies.
A Changing Global Landscape
The issue of Russia and Ukraine also looms large in these discussions. Some believe that Trump’s potential new sanctions on Russia hint at behind-the-scenes talks, while others argue that Europe must ensure Ukraine’s future isn’t decided solely by the U.S. and Russia.
In any case, Estonia’s political leaders are clear: defense spending is a priority, and the country will need to adapt to global shifts, particularly with the U.S. possibly pulling back on some international commitments.