According to a recent survey on attitudes towards foreign policy, Estonians’ three most important priorities are strengthening regional cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic countries, strengthening NATO’s collective defence and creating opportunities for Estonian businesses in foreign markets.
Strengthening regional cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic countries is regarded as a priority by 37% of respondents, while strengthening NATO’s collective defence and creating opportunities for Estonian businesses in foreign markets are each regarded as a priority by 36% of respondents.
The next priority areas identified were supporting Ukraine (22%) and promoting values important to Estonia – such as human rights, democracy and freedom of speech – around the world (21%).
Opinions and attitudes towards Estonia’s foreign policy differ primarily along ethnic lines. While ethnic Estonians consider strengthening NATO’s collective defence and Nordic-Baltic regional cooperation the most important priorities, ethnic Russian residents place greater importance on supporting businesses in foreign markets and improving relations with Russia. Comparing age groups, support for Estonia’s foreign policy priorities was above average among the youngest respondents (aged 15–29).
Respondents believe Estonia should primarily strengthen its international image by standing out in digital development and cyber capabilities (43%), security and defence cooperation (33%), education and e-education (30%), and the protection of human rights and freedoms (28%).
Support for Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership remins high
Public support for sanctions against Russia remains high: 71% of residents support the sanctions, including 83% of ethnic Estonians and 40% of ethnic Russian respondents. As a general principle of economic diplomacy, nearly half of Estonians also believe that Estonia should not promote business cooperation with authoritarian countries or countries that disregard its core values.
On the possible terms of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, a divide between ethnic Estonian and ethnic Russian respondents persists. While a clear majority of ethnic Estonians (74%) believe Ukraine should not make concessions to Russia, a majority of ethnic Russians (61%) believe it should.
Support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union remains unchanged, with 60% of respondents in favour, including 76% of ethnic Estonians and 24% of ethnic Russians. Ukraine’s accession to NATO is supported by 54% of respondents, including 71% of ethnic Estonians and 17% of ethnic Russians.
Compared with a year ago, public support has also grown for EU enlargement to other countries. Slightly more than half of respondents support sending Estonian troops to Ukraine, but only after the war has ended and as part of a peacekeeping mission. Most residents consider Estonia’s support for Ukraine to be sufficient, although willingness to personally contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction has declined.
NATO as an important security guarantee
In the context of US-EU relations, respondents consider solidarity with EU member states more appropriate than prioritising the alliance with the United States. Despite some criticism directed at the US, NATO continues to be seen as an important security guarantee. 53% of respondents believe that if disagreements arise between the United States and the European Union, Estonia should judge each case on its specific circumstances and seek a compromise.
Although half of respondents have no view on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, that share has fallen compared with 2025, while the perception that Estonia’s policy is too pro-Israel has become more common, now held by 29% of residents and more frequently among young people.
China is more often seen as a partner than as a threat or competitor, but support has risen slightly for banning the use of Chinese technology in Estonia’s internal security, defence industry and green technology sectors, from 34% in the 2025 survey to 38% in 2026. On Taiwan, respondents most often consider it reasonable for Estonia either to refrain from developing political relations with it or to align its position with that of the majority of EU member states.
Compared with autumn, the share of respondents who believe that strengthening ties with Estonians living abroad contributes to Estonia’s security, international image and economic development has risen to 66%. Respondents most often saw the value of these ties in promoting the Estonian language and culture (63%), and in strengthening the national identity of Estonians living abroad and their connection with Estonia (55%).
The survey was conducted by the research company Turu-uuringute AS on behalf of the Estonian foreign ministry.
