Estonia awaits next US troop rotation as long-term deployment unclear

A new rotation of U.S. troops is expected to arrive in Estonia this summer and remain until the end of the year, but the long-term future of the American military presence in the Baltic nation remains uncertain, Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said.

U.S. forces have been stationed in Estonia on a rotational basis under a bilateral agreement since 2022. Previous deployments have typically consisted of between 500 and 700 personnel, although fewer than 100 troops are currently in the country, ERR reports.

Pevkur said he had been informed by NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe and the commander of U.S. Army Europe that the next rotation would arrive during the summer.

"That will become clear from the Pentagon's six-month review. But the next rotation should still move to Estonia during the summer," the minister told ERR on Sunday.

The size of the incoming unit has not been confirmed, and Estonian officials have not received any information about future deployments beyond the end of this year.

The next deployment to Estonia is linked to the arrival of a new U.S. rotation in Poland, although the timeline for that deployment also remains uncertain.

"Exactly when it reaches Poland is certainly not a matter of one year. It is a longer process. Then we will also see whether rotational units deployed to Estonia will come from that brigade or whether it will be some other unit," Pevkur said.

The uncertainty comes as the United States reviews its global military posture. Estonian officials say they expect greater clarity after the Pentagon completes its six-month assessment.

Kalev Stoicescu, chairman of the Estonian parliament's National Defence Committee, said countries on NATO's eastern flank remain dependent on decisions made in Washington, regardless of their own defence spending.

"We can sing, dance and even hop on one leg. But in the end, the decision is made by the White House and the U.S. administration based on America's own interests and vision," Stoicescu said.

He added that if U.S. forces are to remain stationed anywhere in Europe, priority should be given to NATO's eastern flank.

Pevkur said he does not expect any announcements regarding the future of U.S. troop deployments in Estonia during the NATO summit beginning in Ankara in the coming days. Until then, he said, Estonia will continue to rely on its own defence capabilities and NATO's multinational battlegroups stationed in the Baltic region.

By Sabina Mammadli