Prince William is set to arrive in Estonia soon to demonstrate his support for the country and the troops stationed there, acting as a deterrent to Russian aggression in the region.
The Prince of Wales will be traveling to the capital Tallinn for a two-day visit on behalf of the UK government and the Foreign Office.
This visit is crucial in reaffirming Britain’s commitment to the security of Estonia and Ukraine.
Estonia shares a 183-mile border with Russia and has been a strong supporter of Ukraine.
During his trip, the prince will visit Tapa camp, located 100 miles from the Russian border, in his capacity as colonel-in-chief of the Mercian Regiment to gain insights into how British troops are supporting NATO’s eastern flank, as stated by Kensington Palace.
Under Operation Cabrit, British forces are stationed in Estonia and Poland, contributing to NATO‘s efforts to counter Russian aggression in the Baltic states.
Approximately 900 British personnel are on a rotational basis alongside Danish, French, and Estonian forces.
The royal visit, planned for several months, is especially timely as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer engages in discussions with his counterparts regarding potential troop participation in any ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
British forces on exercise in Estonia. File pic: Reuters
Estonia ‘fears it could be Russia target’
Diplomatic sources have expressed concerns that Estonia, in the current climate, fears that following a peace agreement, Russia could swiftly re-arm and pose a threat to Ukraine once more or target Estonia and other Northern European NATO allies, underscoring the importance of the UK military presence in the region.
On Thursday, Prince William will engage in activities in Tallinn to observe how the country has responded to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
His itinerary will involve a visit to Freedom School, established by the Ministry of Education and Research in May 2022 in response to the war, with an estimated 60,000 Ukrainian refugees currently residing there.
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Additionally, he will learn about the innovations in renewable energy and technology from clean tech companies, following the Baltic states’ recent disconnection from the Russian-controlled electricity grid to join the main European electricity network.
The Royal Family has been actively involved in high-stakes diplomatic affairs recently.
The King recently met Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Sandringham shortly after the Ukrainian president’s clash with Donald Trump.
A letter penned by the King to Mr Trump, delivered by Sir Keir, was also revealed to the assembled press in the Oval Office, showcasing the monarch’s role in the UK’s efforts to strengthen ties with the US president during an extraordinary second state visit.