Skip to main content
Opposed

Estonia

Umbrella state (NATO)

Estonia boycotted the TPNW negotiations in 2017 and has consistently voted against the annual UN General Assembly resolutions on the Treaty, including in 2023. Estonia may sign and ratify or accede to the TPNW, but will have to make changes to its policies and practices to become compliant.

TPNW Status

SIGNATURE
DEPOSIT WITH UNSG
ENTRY INTO FORCE
DECLARATION
TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compatibility in 2023
(a) Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire Compatible
Test Compatible
Possess or stockpile Compatible
(b) Transfer Compatible
(c) Receive transfer or control Compatible
(d) Use Compatible
Threaten to use Compatible
(e) Assist, encourage or induce Non-compatible
(f) Seek or receive assistance Compatible
(g) Allow stationing, installation, deployment Compatible
TPNW voting and participation
UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) Voted no (2023)
Participated in 2MSP (2023) No
1MSP delegation size (% women) N/A
Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) N/A
Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) No
Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) Voted yes
Other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) treaties
Party to an NWFZ No
Party to the NPT Yes (Acceded 1992)
Ratified the CTBT Yes (Ratified 1999)
Party to the BWC Yes (Acceded 1993)
Party to the CWC Yes (Ratified 1999)
IAEA safeguards and fissile material
Safeguards agreement Yes (24 Nov 1997)
TPNW Art 3(2) deadline N/A
Small Quantities Protocol No
Additional Protocol Yes
Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants No
HEU stocks No
Plutonium stocks No

Latest developments

In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2023, Estonia said that it ‘shares the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons’ and continues to advocate for the so-called progressive approach to nuclear disarmament, pursued ‘in a realistic and responsible way’. It also criticised Russia’s decision to place nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus.1

Recommendations

  • Estonia should renounce the possession and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, and ensure that nuclear weapons do not have a role in its defence posture.

  • Estonia should comply with its existing obligation under Article VI of the NPT and pursue negotiations in good faith on nuclear disarmament.

  • Estonia should urgently adhere to the TPNW. Until it is in a position to do so, it should welcome the TPNW as a valuable component in the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture, work with the Treaty's states parties on practical steps towards disarmament, and attend the meetings of states parties as an observer.

Can you help us update this state profile? Send e-mail
Did you find this interesting?
Print state profile