Estonia Awaits US Decision on Future Troop Deployment

The future of the US military presence in NATO member Estonia is under review, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said in an interview with public broadcaster ERR.

The United States has maintained a continuous military presence in Estonia since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, through a system of overlapping troop rotations. However, Pevkur said the future of the deployment beyond the next planned rotation remains uncertain. That rotation is due to arrive later this summer and conclude at the end of 2026.

Estonia's Ministry of Defense confirmed on Monday that it remains in close and regular contact with the US government on the issue. In a statement, the ministry said Washington is conducting a comprehensive review of its military posture across Europe.

The ministry added that any decision on the continued presence or possible withdrawal of US troops from Estonia will become clear only after discussions between the two governments have been concluded.

(Reuters, Max)