Estonia's foreign minister says the Baltics have 3 or 4 years to prepare for Russian 'test' of NATO

Estonia’s foreign minister says NATO has about three or four years to strengthen its defenses as Russian President Vladimir Putin ramps up his country’s “war machine.”

WARSAW, Poland -- Estonia's foreign minister said Wednesday that NATO has about three or four years to strengthen its defenses as Russian President Vladimir Putin ramps up his country's “war machine."

Margus Tsahkna told a news conference during a visit to Poland's capital that Estonia does not view Russia as an immediate threat to it and the other Baltic states, Lithuania and Latvia, because Moscow is busy with its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“But we must understand the Russian war machine has started in the full scale, the capabilities for production and the mentality as well, because Putin is controlling now everything,” he said alongside his host, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski.

Tsahkna said Estonia's government estimates that it could take “three to four years” for Russia to prepare a “test for NATO.”

Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are considered among the most likely targets if Russia one day decides to risk an attack on the military alliance. Neighboring Poland, though much larger, also feels vulnerable. All four countries are staunch supporters of Ukraine.