How Can Europe and NATO Deter Russia?

On September 21, the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy hosted an event on this subject organized by Professor Andres Kasekamp, Chair of Estonia Studies at the University of Toronto.

The speaker, Mr. Marko Mihkelson, the Chairman of the Estonian parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. In his introduction, Professor Kasekamp noted that Mr. Mihkelson obtained his Master’s degree in history at the University of Tartu; has been a member of the Estonian parliament since 2003; and started his career as a foreign correspondent in Moscow and subsequently was Editor-in-Chief at the Estonian Newspaper Postimees.

Mr. Mihkelson is in Canada for 5 days meeting with Estonian diaspora organizations and officials in Ottawa.

Mr. Mihkelson commenced noting that he had just been to Ukraine (including Ukrainian military defensive positions along the front lines of the ongoing war against Russia). He advised that in his view even after four and half years of all-out war, the Ukrainian leaders, its military and the population are all still remarkably resolute in defending their country against the unjust invasion by Russia. His biggest concern however, is that in many countries including some in NATO, there is a perception that the Ukraine –Russia war is primarily a “regional conflict”. There really needs to be more “caring and sharing” of the plight of Ukraine internationally and an appreciation that this war is a pivotal conflict that has broad implications to the overall post World War II framework of institutions and principles for a peaceful and respectful world order.