Estonia’s residents favour compromise in US-EU disputes

A survey by ERR found that Estonian residents consider solidarity with the European Union more appropriate than maintaining alliance ties with the United States. In the event of disagreements between the US and the EU, 53 percent said Estonia should assess its position according to the circumstances and seek a compromise.

The Foreign Ministry published its third public opinion survey on residents’ attitudes towards foreign policy issues on Monday.

The three leading foreign policy priorities were nearly equally supported: strengthening regional cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic countries, cited by 37 percent; strengthening NATO’s collective defence, cited by 36 percent; and creating opportunities for Estonian companies in foreign markets, also cited by 36 percent.

Other priorities included supporting Ukraine, cited by 22 percent, and promoting Estonia’s key values around the world, including human rights, democracy and freedom of speech, cited by 21 percent.

Views on Estonia’s foreign policy differed mainly by nationality. For ethnic Estonians, the most important priorities were strengthening NATO’s collective defence and regional cooperation. Residents of Russian nationality placed greater emphasis on supporting companies in foreign markets and improving relations with Russia.

Support for Estonia’s foreign policy priorities was above average among the youngest age group, those aged 15 to 29.

Respondents said Estonia should strengthen its international image primarily by promoting digital development and cyber capabilities, cited by 43 percent; security and defence cooperation, cited by 33 percent; education and e-learning, cited by 30 percent; and the protection of human rights and freedoms, cited by 28 percent.

Most Russian-speaking residents expect concessions from Ukraine

Support for sanctions against Russia remains high, with 71 percent of residents backing them. Support stood at 83 percent among ethnic Estonians and 40 percent among residents of Russian nationality.

Nearly half of ethnic Estonians also supported the general principle that Estonia should not encourage companies to cooperate with authoritarian countries or states that disregard important fundamental values.

There remains a significant divide between ethnic Estonians and residents of Russian nationality over the terms of a possible peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. While 74 percent of ethnic Estonians said Ukraine should not make concessions to Russia, 61 percent of residents of Russian nationality said Ukraine should make concessions.

Support for Ukraine joining the European Union remains unchanged at 60 percent, including 76 percent among ethnic Estonians and 24 percent among residents of Russian nationality. EU membership for Ukraine was backed by 54 percent of all residents, including 71 percent of ethnic Estonians and 17 percent of residents of Russian nationality.

Compared with a year earlier, support has also increased for the European Union’s enlargement to other countries.

Just over half of residents support sending Estonian troops to Ukraine after the war, as part of a peacekeeping mission. Most residents consider Estonia’s support for Ukraine sufficient, although willingness to personally support Ukraine’s reconstruction has declined.

Despite some criticism of the United States, NATO continues to be seen as an important security guarantee. In the context of US-EU relations, respondents considered solidarity with EU member states more appropriate than maintaining alliance ties with the United States.

Although half of those surveyed had no position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the share without an opinion has declined compared with 2025. More residents now believe Estonia’s policy towards the conflict is too pro-Israel, a view held by 29 percent and reported more frequently among young people.