Estonia ready to send company-sized unit to Ukraine as part of deterrence force

The statement was published on the Estonian government’s official website.

According to the minister, planning for the “coalition of the willing” is already halfway through, and Estonia is ready to contribute up to a company-sized combat unit, along with instructors and staff officers.

“We will, of course, ask for a mandate from the Riigikogu before dispatching the unit,” he added.

Michal stressed that Estonia still sees NATO membership as the best way to secure Ukraine’s future.

“If NATO membership takes time, Ukraine must be guaranteed deterrence and protection measures with allied troops based in the country,” the minister said.

“Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. An independent, sovereign Ukraine belonging to the European family is the best strategic guarantee against Moscow’s imperialism for all of us. We must show that we can put good ideas into action,” Michal added.

Notably, Estonia is the first country to officially state — at the level of government communication — its readiness to send troops to Ukraine.

A company-sized unit typically consists of 50 to 250 troops. The standard size is around 150 soldiers.