MOSCOW, September 2 (RIA Novosti) - Estonia would like permanent NATO bases to be set up on its territory, Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves told reporters on Tuesday.
“NATO countries should not be divided into different levels, where some have permanent bases and some don’t,” Ilves said during a press conference in Oslo, Norway.
According to the president, NATO bases in Estonia would reduce the fear of potential threats from neighboring Russia.
NATO has been strengthening its military presence in Eastern Europe following the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis this spring. The alliance is expected to unveil further plans for the expansion of its military infrastructure during the summit in Wales on September 4 and 5.
Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over NATO’s increasing military presence in its neighboring states.
