30.10.2026
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Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has reacted sharply to reports that the United States has allegedly urged the Baltic states not to provoke Russia and to tone down their rhetoric towards the aggressor. He said he would not hold back and called Putin a dictator who kills women and children.
Michal said this in an interview with Delfi. He emphasized that attempts to appease dictators only lead to humiliation, and freedom in such a case will still be lost.
The day before, Reuters, citing four sources, reported that Pentagon officials had allegedly asked Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia to tone down their public rhetoric toward Russia. Kristen Michal responded to the publication.
Calling a wolf a wolf
Michal stated that Estonia, like other Baltic countries, is clearly aware of the threat from Russia and is not going to change its position.
“I am not going to hold back. Putin is a dictator who kills women and children. And he will do so until he is forced to change his course,” the Estonian Prime Minister said.
He also stated that attempts to flatter the Russian leadership will not bring freedom, but only lead to humiliation.
According to him, a clear assessment of the Russian threat is a necessary condition for readiness to deter it.
“An adequate threat assessment – calling a wolf a wolf, not a ‘forest puppy’ – is a necessary condition for preparedness,” Michal emphasized.
At the same time, Michal noted that he had not received such a request directly from the United States. According to him, the last time he met with US President Donald Trump was in the summer in Ankara, but this issue was not raised during that meeting.
Estonia will continue to strengthen its defense
Michal outlined the steps NATO has taken in recent years to deter Russia.
“Of course, our firm position and clear statements are like a pain in the side for Russia,” Michal said.
According to him, the Russian dictator is suffering increasing setbacks on the battlefield; Russian cities and ports are burning – and this is forcing him to “behave like a terrorist.” At the same time, Michal acknowledged that the coming winter will be difficult for Ukraine, which continues to resist Russian aggression.
The Estonian Prime Minister also recalled his country’s contribution to the defense of NATO’s eastern flank. He noted that Estonia devotes almost 7% of its GDP to the needs of the Alliance and comprehensive national defense, thus contributing to global security through the defense of the eastern flank.
Lithuania also responded to information about the US request
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said he had no information that Pentagon officials had asked Lithuanian leaders to tone down their rhetoric toward Russia.
At the same time, he emphasized that all of Lithuania’s statements are based on facts.
“What we say is always based on facts. If a Russian drone arrived, we say that a Russian drone arrived. If a Ukrainian drone arrived, we say that it was a Ukrainian drone, in the context of a war unleashed by Russia,” Kaunas said.
According to him, Lithuania is not going to provoke anyone, but will speak the truth and continue to state the facts.
The Office of the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda reported that neither he nor his aides have received any requests from allies for statements regarding Russia.
“The President’s Office does not comment on this publication. The President and his advisers have not received any appeals or requests from allies to soften the rhetoric towards Russia,” they noted on Friday, October 30.
As OBOZ.UA reported, Reuters published a report that US Defense Department officials have held private meetings with NATO countries in recent weeks and urged them to be more restrained in their statements about the threat from Russia. In particular, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia received such appeals. American officials believe that some statements by European leaders and officials have undermined continental security.
“I am not going to hold back. Putin is a dictator who kills women and children. And he will do so until he is forced to change his course,”
And the disgusting, terrible criminal in the White House, Donald Trump, is helping the war criminal, Vlad Putin, to kill more women and children. That’s a fact.
It would be great to have a POTUS with even a tiny fraction of the courage and common decency that Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has. But Taco has none. Not in the least.
With the Russian Flag waving on the White House.(in a way…….), and most Americans rallying around it, Europe must increase support for Ukraine.
Let the Union State, The United States of Russia have a nice day.