Estonian President convenes National Defence Council to discuss Russian sabotage and influence operations

The Estonian National Defence Council will convene to discuss Russian sabotage and influence operations, as well as the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland, on Wednesday afternoon, 22 May, at the invitation of Estonian President Alar Karis.

As reported by Estonian daily newspaper Postimees, the National Defence Council is an advisory body to the president. 

It includes the speaker of the Riigikogu, the prime minister, the chair of the National Defence Committee, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Internal Affairs, Justice and Economic Affairs and Infrastructure, as well as the commander of the Defence Forces. 

The council discusses and provides opinions on matters of significant importance to national defence.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that Polish security services arrested nine people who committed acts of sabotage within the country on the orders of Russian secret services.

He noted that this concerned several countries in the region. Tusk did not mention Estonia, but Karis is likely convening the National Defence Council in light of these reports.

There have been multiple large-scale arson attacks across Europe in recent weeks. A fire at an IKEA shopping centre in Vilnius was reported last week, and a huge fire recently broke out in a Warsaw shopping mall.