Grasping the opportunity for small state leadership: Estonia's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The article examines Estonia's foreign and security policy leadership during the first two years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (2022–2024), highlighting how the conflict reinforced Estonia’s longstanding strategic posture rather than altering it fundamentally. Estonia leveraged its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) to shape Western policies by advocating for strong support to Ukraine, enhanced sanctions on Russia, and strengthened defense of the Baltic region. Through coalition-building, agenda-setting, and leading by example—such as maintaining high defense spending and providing military aid—Estonia increased its international visibility and influence despite its small size. The article also discusses Estonia’s domestic consensus on these policies, noting some divisions within its Russian-speaking minority and opposition from a radical right-wing populist party. Overall, Estonia’s experience illustrates how small states can exercise leadership in international security by capitalizing on geopolitical turbulence and regional institutional frameworks.