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Estonia’s top military chief says the country must double its defence spending over the next two years so it can not only defend against a possible Russian invasion, but instead inflict a “decisive” defeat.

During in an interview in Japan, where he was meeting defence officials, General Martin Herem said neither the threat of a nuclear response nor the prospect of significant casualties would deter Vladimir Putin if he chose to attack Russia’s small Baltic neighbour.

“If you show your face over my border, the decisive victory must come very quickly: not by months and years, but days and weeks,” he said.

“If we really believe that it may come in three years, then we have to make decisions today.”

Estonia, once a Soviet republic, which shares a border with Russia, has already increased its defence budget to around 3% of GDP – making it a leader among NATO members in terms of proportional spending.

It comes after Mr Putin said the idea Russia would carry out attacks on NATO states was “drivel” (see our morning post).