Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who served as Estonia's President from 2006 to 2016, shares valuable insights on engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin amidst significant geopolitical changes. Currently, NATO is conducting the 'Baltops' exercise in the Baltic Sea, featuring 20 ships and approximately 6,000 troops from 16 nations. However, this year's exercise is notably scaled down, attributed to the US military's reduced presence, with many warships stationed in the Persian Gulf. Ilves points out that the evolving US foreign policy and President Trump's past criticisms of NATO allies have influenced military dynamics in Europe. As NATO focuses on deterrence strategies against potential threats from Russia, Kremlin officials have hinted at ambitious projects, such as a proposed underwater tunnel connecting Russia to the US. Ilves stresses the importance of learning from past interactions with Putin to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape effectively.