Why Estonia is on the front line of Russia's rising ambitions
This Is Why
Sky News
4.0 • 552 Ratings
🗓️ 5 May 2026
⏱️ 17 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
It's the small Baltic state that's no stranger to being invaded - having been occupied by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
But while many hope it will never happen again, there are fears in NATO and beyond that Estonia is next on Vladimir Putin's hitlist.
So how is the country preparing for the threat from Russia? And could Estonia really be on the front line of a future war in Europe?
Niall is joined by the outgoing UK ambassador to Estonia, Ross Allen.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Sky News, the full story first. |
| 0:10.0 | It's the tiny European nation on the front line with Russia. |
| 0:15.6 | Our ambassador to Estonia thinks we can learn from its example, and this is why. |
| 0:26.2 | Commuting from work? |
| 0:28.6 | Pretty slow, isn't it? |
| 0:30.6 | More time in the car. |
| 0:31.6 | Joy. |
| 0:33.6 | Maybe you don't feel it. |
| 0:41.1 | Maybe you don't drive a Lexx yet. But when you do, you'll see the positive of peak hour, the delight in a detour, the love of the long way. The Lexus NX plugin hybrid. Experience |
| 0:49.5 | amazing before you arrive. |
| 0:56.8 | Hello, I'm Beth Rigby. |
| 0:57.6 | I'm Ruth Davidson. |
| 0:58.8 | And I'm Harriet Harmon. |
| 1:03.6 | We're the host of Electoral Dysfunction, the politics podcast you need in your rotation. |
| 1:08.6 | Especially if you want to understand how the May elections are reshaping UK politics. |
| 1:09.2 | Order! |
| 1:11.6 | Every week we break down the biggest stories and take you behind the scenes of the major moments. |
| 1:13.9 | And we also have a bit of fun along the way. |
| 1:16.0 | I have lost my sunglasses. |
| 1:17.7 | I left them at the Reform petrol station. |
| 1:20.2 | Electoral dysfunction. |
| 1:21.5 | Listen every Friday, wherever you get your podcasts. |
... |
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