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Russia Plans for Post-War, Estonia Warns

Published February 10, 2026, 12:19
Russia Plans for Post-War, Estonia Warns

Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service estimates that Russia is using peace negotiations in Ukraine as a tactic to restore relations with the United States, without intending to end the invasion. According to the report, the Kremlin has instructed state bodies to "project a willingness to cooperate" with the US, aiming to lift sanctions and restore full diplomatic relations, which would facilitate espionage and the trafficking of sanctioned goods. Russia is also seeking to maintain its status as a major nuclear power, presenting itself as a responsible actor in nuclear security. Simultaneously, it is considering the creation of a reconstruction fund for Ukraine, financed by Russian assets frozen in the West, with the goal of imposing its terms on Kyiv. This assessment contrasts with the efforts of former US President Donald Trump to bring Russian and Ukrainian negotiators together, as talks have "stalled" due to disagreements over territorial issues and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The report emphasizes that Russia's rhetoric of peace is merely a tactic to buy time. The Russian economy, with its declining oil production, is creating divisions within the Russian elite, making the lifting of sanctions vital for maintaining Vladimir Putin's power.