The Estonian Government is considering sending troops to western Ukraine to take over the rear functions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
This was stated by Madis Roll, National Security Advisor to the President of Estonia.
"The Government of Estonia is “seriously” discussing the possibility of sending troops into western Ukraine to take over non-direct combat, “rear” roles from Ukrainian forces in order to free them up to fight on the front," he said.
According to Roll, the Government is currently analysing the potential step. While Estonia prefers that any such step be taken within the framework of a full NATO mission, he did not rule out the possibility of acting as part of a smaller coalition.
"Discussions are ongoing. We should be looking at all the possibilities. It's not ruled out that NATO nations opposed to such a move would change their minds," he said.
Earlier, the Head of the Estonian Defence Forces, General Martin Gerem, said that several months ago, the army had discussed sending troops to western Ukraine to perform tasks such as medical care, logistics or air defence of some cities in western Ukraine.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and named the conditions under which such a decision could be considered.