Breedlove: Estonia has stood up for other countries on Russia’s borders
A group of 17 newly promoted American admirals and generals visited Estonia last week. Retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, leader of the delegation, highlighted Estonia’s role in standing beside other countries on the borders of Russia.
Estonia and the commander of its defense forces, Gen. Riho Terras, had been very vocal supporters of Russia’s neighbors, Breedlove said, who himself not long ago served as NATO’s supreme commander in Europe.
A group of U.S. generals and admirals visited Estonia for Independence Day. During their two-day visit, they also got an overview of the functioning of the country’s government institutions and national defense system, spokespeople of the Estonian Defence Forces said.
According to Breedlove, it is important to understand what it means to live next to a bigger neighbor, and at the same time be an exemplary ally and contribute to both independent defense capability as well as allied commitments.
The 17 newly promoted generals and admirals visited Estonia in the framework of a professional military education course that includes familiarizing its participants with the security systems of allies to ensure the successful implementation of the U.S. doctrine of joint operations. The objective of the study trip is to acquaint the officers with allies’ visions of the security environment, and provide an overview of the shaping of security policies.
On Thursday, the U.S. officers met with President Kersti Kaljulaid, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, commander of the defense forces Gen. Riho Terras, U.S. Ambassador to Estonia James D. Melville, chairman of the Riigikogu’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Marko Mihkelson (IRL), and secretary general of the Ministry of Defense Jonatan Vseviov. They also visited the Tallinn-based NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence as well as the U.S. cruiser Hué City that is currently visiting the Estonian capital.
On Friday, the U.S. officers attended events celebrating Estonia’s 99th anniversary. They also met with the chairman of the Riigikogu’s National Defense Committee, Hannes Hanso (SDE), chief of the volunteer corps Kaitseliit (Defence League) Brig. Gen. Meelis Kiili, and director general of the Estonian Internal Security Service, Arnold Sinisalu.
Prior to coming to Estonia, the group visited Ukraine and Germany.
Editor: Dario Cavegn
Source: BNS
