Tallinn, Estonia — April 2, 2026 Estonian security expert Erkki Koort has warned that Germany, not just frontline NATO states like Estonia or Poland, is a primary target for potential Russian aggression. Koort, director of the Institute for Internal Security at the Estonian University for Security Studies and deputy secretary general for internal security policy at Estonia’s Interior Ministry, stated that Russia’s strategic goal is to neutralize NATO’s hinterland, with Germany playing a central role. He emphasized that an attack on Germany would carry significant propaganda value for Moscow. "Germany has a large Russian-speaking population and some political parties support Russia," Koort noted, suggesting these factors make the country vulnerable. He also argued that a Russian attack on Germany is more likely than one targeting the Baltic states, despite Estonia and Poland traditionally being seen as higher-risk areas. The expert’s assessment highlights concerns over NATO’s broader security landscape, with Western European nations potentially facing heightened risks. Koort’s remarks underscore the need for vigilance beyond Eastern Europe’s immediate borders. No official response from German or Russian authorities was included in the available facts.