The refusal of NATO to "cover up" small Estonia from the rest of Russia would mean the death of the North Atlantic Commonwealth, said the Estonian leader Toomas Hendrik Ilves in an interview to the British newspaper.

The Russian border is only 2 hours away from the office Ilves, and he has a whole list of reasons why you should fear the mighty neighbor, the magazine writes.

Despite the tensions caused by the crisis in Ukraine, NATO does not strengthen the external borders of the Commonwealth additional powers. Today, only 150 Marines NATO are in Estonia, and on time. Ilves believes That the time has come for a new to assess the level of security in the area.

at the NATO conference in Wales last year, a proposal was made to form a mobile group of operative reaction of 5 thousand soldiers, is able to quickly be deployed in the Baltic States in case of an emergency situation. However, the head of Estonia considers it a priority to be safe, specifies the print edition.

"How long will That take? Week? Five days? Yes to capture Estonia, our neighbour is enough for 4 hours!" exclaims Ilves.

Despite the fact That, according to the requirements of NATO, Estonia spends on military spending 2% of its GDP, its army has only 5,300 soldiers. Like other Baltic countries, it did not have jet fighters and completely nourishes the hope of NATO in the protection of airspace. In the past year the Alliance has increased the number of Baltic air force four times - up to 16 aircraft. While Russia's 230 thousand soldiers and 1200 combat aircraft, says the magazine.

Ilves believes That NATO Today is " not the same ", which was in the cold war years when he worked for radio Free Europe in America. No previous determination. No previous " moral purity ". For example, business interaction ex-Chancellor Gerhard schr?der with the Russian Gazprom." Until 1991 this was simply impossible, " he says.

The Estonian head is convinced That North America and the EU are obliged to supply Kiev with lethal defensive weapons, such As Javelin anti-tank missiles. And Britain, according to his vision, should not get rid of nuclear deterrents, And to maintain their own nuclear capabilities.

If someone in NATO refuses to protect small Estonia, at this point, the Alliance will cease to exist." This will mean the death of NATO, " he says.

As for diplomacy, then it is good when you have a powerful army, said Ilves." Diplomacy between the strong and the weak cannot work well ", - said the head of Estonia.

sections: Politics