President Karis: Estonia and the United Kingdom have always stood together in defence of freedom

President Alar Karis confirmed at his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the United Kingdom is and will remain a key ally for Estonia in ensuring the security of the region and NATO as a whole. The meeting between the Head of State and the UK Prime Minister took place on board the British frigate HMS Iron Duke, moored in the Old City Harbour, where the President also thanked the UK soldiers and sailors for their service.

President Karis noted that Estonia and the United Kingdom have a long history of defence cooperation. "Exactly 106 years ago, in December 1918, the British navy fought alongside us in the Estonian War of Independence against Bolshevik Russia, and we won that war," said the Head of State. "We also fought side by side for 20 years in Afghanistan."

According to President Karis, this shared history gives reassurance that Estonia and the United Kingdom will always stand in defence of freedom - regardless of the time, place or adversary. "Even in the current precarious security situation, we stand together with the British units stationed here in Estonia in defence of NATO's Eastern Flank," President Karis emphasised.

The Estonian Head of State and the UK Prime Minister also discussed the security challenges and the necessity of increasing NATO's defence spending. President Karis confirmed that the United Kingdom's decision to keep the 4th Brigade on high alert is important for strengthening the defence of the Baltic Sea Region, adding that he looks forward to the UK Infantry Brigade's exercise of deployment to Estonia early next year.

Photos: Raigo Pajula/Office of the President of the Republic https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBVhQq