Video and photos ⟩ The President discussed security issues with the Prime Minister and the Defense Council (1)

At a press conference after the meeting, both President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kristen Michal acknowledged that the world situation is becoming increasingly tense, and the coming year is unlikely to promise any relief.

“The end of this year and the beginning of the new year will be quite tense in politics. We see that on the Ukrainian front, Russia is increasing its aggression even before the onset of winter, trying to provoke panic or defeatism among the Ukrainian population,” said, in particular, Alar Karis.

According to the head of state, preparations are also currently underway for a summit on the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.

“We have no choice but to provide Ukraine with even greater support in order to force Russia to stop this war,” Karis emphasized in this regard.

Kristen Michal, in turn, noted that Russia is still waging a hybrid war against European countries.

It is obvious that the hybrid war unleashed by Russia will continue to intensify, the Prime Minister noted.

“Estonia is ready for this, we continue to remain vigilant, law enforcement agencies are assessing incidents occurring both in Estonia and near us,” Michal said.

After the end of the official part, the journalists asked Karis and Michal, among other things, how well Estonia’s critical underwater infrastructure is protected.

“Protecting underwater infrastructure is itself extremely complex, I can say this right away,” the prime minister said. “We and our neighbors have different situational awareness systems, and those systems are gradually evolving over time.”

According to the head of government, in this case it is important not only to establish why exactly the pipeline or cable is damaged, but also to fix the problem as soon as possible, and this should be worked on.

The National Defense Council is an advisory body to the president of the country.

It consists of the President of the Riigikogu, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Riigikogu National Defense Committee, the Chairman of the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Economics and Industry and the Commander of the Defense Forces. .

What specific “hybrid war”‍ tactics described by Prime Minister Michal pose⁢ the most significant threats to Estonia, and how effectively are these being countered?

‌ ## World Today News Exclusive Interview: Facing a Tense Future

**Moderato:** Welcome to World Today News’ exclusive interview with President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kristen Michal. We’re​ here to discuss the pressing issues​ facing Estonia and the world‌ as we approach a potentially turbulent year ahead. Gentlemen, thank you for ‌joining us.

**Section 1: The⁢ Escalating Conflict ⁢in Ukraine**

**Moderator:** President Karis, you’ve stated that the coming year will be “quite tense politically,” particularly due to Russia’s escalated aggression in Ukraine. Can you elaborate on what specific⁣ developments are contributing to this heightened sense of tension?

**President Karis:**

**Moderator:** Prime Minister Michal, you’ve also ‍highlighted Russia’s continued‌ hybrid war against European countries. What concrete threats does Estonia face within this context, and⁢ what measures are being taken to mitigate these risks?

**Prime Minister Michal:**

**Section 2: Supporting Ukraine ⁣and Seeking Peace**

**Moderator:** ‍President Karis, you emphasized the need to provide Ukraine ⁢with even greater ⁣support. What specific forms of assistance does ​Estonia prioritize, and how do​ you envision⁣ this support contributing to a peaceful resolution ⁢of the conflict?

**President Karis:**

**Moderator:** Both of you have mentioned the upcoming summit on the peaceful resolution of the conflict.​ What are your expectations for this summit, and what role do you believe Estonia can play in facilitating a lasting ⁤peace?

**Prime Minister Michal:**

**Section 3: Protecting ⁤Critical Infrastructure**

**Moderator:** Prime Minister, the recent incidents⁤ involving damage to critical underwater infrastructure have raised concerns about vulnerabilities. How confident is Estonia in its ​ability to protect its own infrastructure, and what collaborative efforts are ⁢underway with neighboring countries to enhance security in this ‍domain?

**Prime ⁢Minister Michal:**

**Moderator:** What steps are being taken ‌to not only⁣ detect attacks but also to ensure quick and effective responses⁢ when damage occurs?

**President Karis:**

**Section 4: Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities**

**Moderator:** Gentlemen, looking beyond the immediate challenges, what opportunities do you see for Estonia in the⁣ coming year?

**President Karis:**

**Moderator:** Prime Minister, what message would you like to share with the Estonian people‍ and the international community ⁣regarding Estonia’s resilience and its commitment to a ⁤secure and⁢ prosperous ⁤future?

**Prime​ Minister Michal:**

**Moderator:** ‍Thank you, President Karis and Prime Minister Michal, for ⁣this insightful conversation.

Please note that the interview format and