Despite the Pentagon's request not to provoke the Russians, the Estonian Prime Minister immediately labeled Putin as a killer.

Despite Pentagon's request for restraint, Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal remains outspoken about the threat posed by Russia. She labeled Vladimir Putin a dictator responsible for atrocities and emphasized the importance of acknowledging the threat clearly. Estonia contributes significantly to NATO's eastern defense with military spending near 7% of its GDP. U.S. officials have warned that some European leaders' comments about Russia could undermine continental security, urging them to moderate their rhetoric. Michal's previous remarks likening Putin to a cornered rat have drawn attention from U.S. officials.