West Must Be Prepared for Long-Term Confrontation with Russia, Warns Ijabs Report

West must be prepared for long confrontation with Russia – Ijabs The Baltic Times reported that Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned that the West must prepare for a prolonged confrontation with Russia, emphasizing that the conflict in Ukraine is unlikely to end soon and that sustained Western support remains critical. Tsahkna made the remarks during a security forum in Tallinn, where he stressed that European nations need to maintain military aid to Ukraine and strengthen their own defense capabilities over the long term. He noted that Russia’s war effort shows no signs of weakening and that Western resolve must match the duration of the threat. He added that Estonia has already increased its defense spending to over 3 percent of GDP and urged NATO allies to follow suit, citing the need for credible deterrence along the alliance’s eastern flank. The minister also highlighted the importance of energy independence, pointing to Estonia’s progress in reducing reliance on Russian gas and expanding renewable infrastructure. Tsahkna reiterated that sanctions on Russia must remain in place until there is a verifiable withdrawal from Ukrainian territory and that any future negotiations must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as non-negotiable principles. He concluded by stating that the West’s credibility depends on its ability to sustain support not just in months, but in years, and that short-term thinking would undermine both Ukrainian resistance and European security.