Russia warns it would target Estonia if NATO stations nuclear weapons there
Feb 23rd 2026
Kremlin says it would aim nuclear arms at Estonia if the country hosts NATO nuclear weapons, while Estonia signals it may consider hosting in future and Russia deploys a nuclear capable Oreshnik missile to Belarus.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would aim its nuclear weapons at Estonia if nuclear arms were placed on Estonian territory.
- There are no public plans to move nuclear weapons to Estonia at present.
- Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Tallinn could consider hosting nuclear weapons in the future.
- Russia has deployed an Oreshnik missile system to Belarus that Moscow says is nuclear capable, carries six independently targetable warheads, and can reach European cities quickly.
- The United States already stores tactical nuclear weapons in several European countries, including Germany and Italy.
- Debate over hosting nuclear arms has intensified in Poland, where former president Andrzej Duda said in 2024 the country would be ready to host US tactical nuclear weapons.
- Estonia has been a party to the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons since 1992.