13.03.25 NEWS ... Returning from the Paris Security Forum, Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, Maj. Gen. Andrus Merilo, stated that the killing in Ukraine must stop. He emphasized that achieving even a temporary ceasefire is necessary as a first step, allowing for a gradual move toward a more lasting solution.

12.03.25 NEWS ... A change in government alone is not enough to bring voters back to the Reform Party. The prime minister's party must bring more individuals with a business background into the government to once again be seen as a credible advocate for economic policy, political scientist Ott Lumi believes.

06.03.25 NEWS ... When discussing the purchase of long-range fire systems for Estonia, alternatives to the American-made HIMARS are also on the table. However, if Estonia ultimately opts for HIMARS, it must ensure that the system is fully operational and that the necessary ammunition supply is secured, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said on ERR's "Otse uudistemajast" webcast.

05.03.25 NEWS ... Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said that after President Donald Trump's comments, Europe is finally realizing the Americans will not do all the work for us. He also believes the European Commission's new defense funding proposal should be distributed more evenly amongst member states.

04.03.25 NEWS ... Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform) said Estonia could raise its defense spending to five percent of GDP once EU budget rules are relaxed. Michal also said British soldiers currently stationed in Tapa will not be used as part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

02.03.25 NEWS ... Traffic psychologist Gunnar Meinhard tells ERR in an interview that the increase in traffic fatalities is a result of a lack of systematic efforts in addressing road safety. According to him, traffic education in Estonia is at a very low level and no one is held accountable when state programs fail.

25.02.25 NEWS ... The head of the EU's External Action Service (EEAS), Matti Maasikas told Vikerraadio in an interview that Europe must help Ukraine reject a bad agreement being forced upon it. According to Maasikas, a peace deal that lacks security guarantees and allows Russia to retain occupied territories cannot be imposed on Ukraine. He acknowledged that, economically, militarily and domestically, Ukraine is currently in a position to continue the war.

21.02.25 NEWS ... Leader of the coalition Social Democratic Party (SDE) and Estonia's Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets believes that changes are needed at the Ministry of Climate following the collapse of the government's energy plan. According to him, the onshore wind farm auction, which was part of the now-defunct agreement, can still move forward, but the special national spatial plan for a nuclear power plant must be put on hold.

12.02.25 NEWS ... According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200), Estonia must demonstrate to key ally the United States that it has something to offer.

04.02.25 NEWS ... Aiming to improve clarity and oversight, Kaimo Kuusk, who took office as permanent secretary of Estonia's Ministry of Defense on September 1, is implementing some key changes to the structure and leadership of the ministry this spring.

27.01.25 NEWS ... Economist Triinu Tapver tells Vikerraadio in an interview that while Europe strives to continuously reduce CO2 emissions, giving the impression that pollution is minimized here, the reality is quite different. According to her, Europe contributes to pollution indirectly by sourcing solar panels primarily from China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

21.01.25 NEWS ... Attempts by US President Donald Trump to tweak the current global economic system to better suit American businesses could disrupt the balance, says political observer and technology entrepreneur Lauri Almann.

21.01.25 NEWS ... The U.S. Ambassador to Estonia George P Kent's posting to Tallinn is almost over and he will leave soon after President Donald Trump takes office. In a final interview with ERR, he speaks about the U.S.– Estonia relationship, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and what he will miss most about the country.

20.01.25 NEWS ... While Norway and Estonia may seem far apart, the two countries share many similarities when it comes to defense and their eastern neighbor. In short, what happens in the Baltic effects the Arctic, and vice versa. ERR News spoke with Norwegian Ambassador Marius Dirdal about the security situation in the High North, Russia and Norway's activity in the Baltics.

15.01.25 NEWS ... Outgoing State Secretary Taimar Peterkop tells ERR in an interview that the government should move away from the crisis-driven governance model that has become the norm, where decisions are made hastily and with limited information. According to him, the recent sabotage of the EstLink 2 electricity cable highlighted a significant issue — crisis preparedness is marked by competition between institutions and fragmented responses from agencies acting independently.

13.01.25 NEWS ... Support for the second administration of President Donald Trump, due to take office January 20, differs substantively from that of 2016, political consultant Andreas Kaju said.

12.01.25 NEWS ... Estonian prisons are once again housing juvenile inmates, despite the state's goal of keeping minors out of the prison system. However, this has proven unavoidable due to the severity of crimes committed by some young offenders.

07.01.25 NEWS ... Ukraine will be Estonia's foreign policy priority in 2025 and will continue to be as long as the war continues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Jonatan Vseviov said in an interview about the coming year.

31.12.24 NEWS ... On the international stage, countries are preparing for some form of peace in Ukraine, and when such messages come from the United States, Europe must take a deep breath and brace itself, as this will be a turning point in history, said former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Kusti Salm in an interview given to Vikerraadio before Christmas.

26.12.24 NEWS ... War is discussed too frequently in Estonia, creating fear among people, including concerns about fleeing the country. However, war is not imminent, President Alar Karis said in his year-end interview with ETV. Karis emphasized that investments in national defense are essential to ensure such a scenario does not arise but added that culture and education are equally important.

20.12.24 NEWS ... People smugglers on Latvia's eastern borders are becoming "smarter" and using new techniques to try and avoid detection all the time, Prime Minister Evika Silina told ERR News in an interview this week. The situation is "very dangerous."

17.12.24 NEWS ... If the West forces Ukraine to make concessions in the war with Russia and fails to provide it with security guarantees, it would also mean the end of the European project. After Ukraine's defeat, Russia would continue its efforts to dismantle the current international order, said Ukrainian publicist Vitali Portnikov in an interview with ERR. A new Munich Agreement, however, could lead to World War III.

16.12.24 NEWS ... After four members recently quit the Estonian Nationalists and Conservatives (ERK), party mate and MP Jaak Valge said it was actually the nascent party's low ratings and disagreements over its socioeconomic direction that prompted their departure.

16.12.24 NEWS ... MP Henn Põlluaas was one of four members to recently announce their departure from the Estonian Nationalists and Conservatives (ERK). Põlluaas blames the fledgling party's troubles on Jaak Valge and his supporters, accusing them of steering the party ideologically to the left.

14.12.24 NEWS ... The current state budget-dependent funding model of public broadcasting runs counter to the European Media Freedom Act, and to ensure financial independence, this requires a swift solution from the legislature, ERR's board chair Erik Roose said.

12.12.24 NEWS ... At the end of November, mass protests began in Georgia after ruling party Georgian Dream's announcement it would suspend talks on the country's European Union accession process until 2028. As the protests enter their second week, ERR News spoke to Georgians with connections to Estonia about their participation, their views on the situation, and what they think the future holds.

11.12.24 NEWS ... Maj. Gen. Andrus Merilo, commander of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF), holds it likely that the Ukraine war will be frozen. He believes that Russia will not send forces freed up in Ukraine home but will deploy them somewhere else instead, and that it is up to Estonia to demonstrate that it better not be the Baltics.

10.12.24 NEWS ... EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated on the "Välisilm" foreign affairs talk show that EU member states have differing views on the war in Ukraine. She emphasized that the Union must focus on convincing member states to provide adequate support for Ukraine to repel Russia's aggression.

09.12.24 NEWS ... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Jonatan Vsesviov told "Aktuaalne kaamera" in an interview that Bashar al-Assad's fall in Syria demonstrates that the end can come abruptly for authoritarian regimes.

05.12.24 NEWS ... Lavly Perling, leader of the Parempoolsed party, said on the "Otse uudistemajast" webcast that the party aims to increase its support from the current level of just under 5 percent to 10 percent. However, she dismissed the idea of merging with Eesti 200, as the two parties' values are too different.

04.12.24 NEWS ... A study is expected to be completed at the beginning of next year, which will reveal how wind farms impact the Defense Forces' maritime surveillance capabilities. According to Ministry of Defense Undersecretary Tiina Uudeberg, if compensation measures are needed, the ministry expects wind farm developers to implement them.

02.12.24 NEWS ... Criticism from the Ministry of Economic Affairs regarding the government's plan to curb bureaucracy – claiming it would increase paperwork – is unfounded, Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta (Eesti 200) told ERR. According to Pakosta, the plan is necessary, among other reasons, to establish certain enforcement mechanisms for officials, as efforts to reduce bureaucracy on a voluntary basis have not been successful.

29.11.24 NEWS ... Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur (Reform) expressed surprise at claims made by senior members of the Defense Forces (EDF) and Navy that wind farms and solar parks undermine the early warning and intelligence capabilities.

27.11.24 NEWS ... While German Chancellor Olaf Scholz can be praised for sending air defense systems to Ukraine, he ruined his own reputation by deciding not to send Taurus missiles, said former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (2020-2024) in a wide-ranging interview with ETV's "Esimene stuudio."

24.11.24 NEWS ... After a long hiatus, Estonian street artist Edward von Lõngus gave an interview discussing why his work has not been seen on the streets for some time. In the interview, the artist reflects on the philosophy behind his creations and the future of the art world, shedding light on why anonymity can be considered both the ultimate luxury and a source of power in today's world.

19.11.24 NEWS ... On Monday, November 18, political activist and leader of the Belarusian democratic movement Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made her first official visit to Tartu. After delivering a public lecture at the University of Tartu, Tsikhanouskaya spoke to ERR News' Michael Cole about her goals for this trip to Estonia and how she finds the strength to keep on fighting.

17.11.24 NEWS ... Tallinn could be home to 550,000 people in 15 years, which puts pressure on municipal services, especially education, social welfare, roads and public transport, Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski tells ERR in an interview. He gives Põhja-Tallinn as a good example of bad planning where building rights have been granted without heed to transport links, school and kindergarten places.

15.11.24 NEWS ... Tartu City Architect Jiri Tintera believes that in order to function as a proper city centee, the dowtown area needs to be more densely packed.

15.11.24 NEWS ... Kaja Kallas, candidate for the post of the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, wants to go on fewer foreign visits and delegate some of her duties to other commissioners or countries' foreign ministers, she tells ERR in an interview.

13.11.24 NEWS ... In an interview on Vikerraadio, MP Jaak Valge (ERK) said that his firing of a starter pistol in Tallinn's Falgi Park on Monday was politically motivated as well, serving as the opening salvo for an anti-tax hike protest he is organizing for Thursday.

12.11.24 NEWS ... President-elect Donald Trump won't even try to retain the liberal world order, with a new strength-based way of doing things looming, Kristi Raik, deputy director of the International Center for Defense and Security (ICDS) told ETV foreign affairs program "Välisilm."

06.11.24 NEWS ... Former Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid (2016–2021) said on the Vikerraadio show "Uudis +" that Trump's first administration maintained closer ties with Eastern European countries than the outgoing administration of Joe Biden. According to Kaljulaid, Biden's presidency was lackluster, which makes her cautiously optimistic about a potential new term for Trump.

06.11.24 NEWS ... Vice chair of the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee, deputy head of the Conservative People's Party (EKRE) Mart Helme tells ERR in an interview that Donald Trump's victory could see major powers trading spheres of influence, in which Estonia might turn out to be currency. Helme believes the U.S. could drop NATO to free its hands for other agreements.

04.11.24 NEWS ... The only way to take away the local elections voting right of third-country citizens is through a constitutional amendment, finds sworn attorney Jüri Raidla, one of the authors of the Estonian Constitution. While theoretically possible, Raidla believes revoking the right before the 2025 local elections would not look good.

03.11.24 NEWS ... Tallinn's current authorities are working to completely centralize municipal services without a vision of where it might lead, former Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart says in an interview with ERR. Kõlvart confirms he will be running for mayor again at the 2025 local elections.

02.11.24 NEWS ... Heat the sauna, lay the table, and prepare for a visit from the departed. These are just some of Estonia's – and other Finno-Ugric peoples' – traditional beliefs around All Souls' Day (November 2), explains Folklorist Mall Hiiemäe. But how has modern life changed these centuries-old customs?

31.10.24 NEWS ... This Saturday (November 2), Christian Berishaj, better known as JMSN, is set to perform at Tallinn's Club Privé as part of his "Soft Spot" European tour. Ahead of the show, ERR News spoke to JMSN to find out more about life on the road and what fans can expect from him, both in Estonia and in the future.

29.10.24 NEWS ... It is a trait of totalitarian states to blame the enemy for anything that goes wrong. It should be a common goal for Estonia to ensure everyone's well-being and build a wealthy state in the service of this goal, Center Party head Mihhail Kõlvart tells ERR in an interview.

28.10.24 NEWS ... Tallinn city nightlife adviser Natalie Mets (SDE) does not agree with claims that the Estonian capital's Old Town has become an area where people feel like they can act with impunity. According to her, the area's biggest issue is excessive noise.

25.10.24 NEWS ... While the Social Democratic Party (SDE) is set to propose only revoking the local elections voting right of Russian and Belarusian citizens in Estonia who refuse to condemn the Ukraine war, Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform) prefers stripping all aggressor state citizens of the power.