Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has rejected calls to tone down criticism of Russia, saying he will continue to describe Russian President Vladimir Putin as a dictator responsible for killing women and children.

Axar.az reports, citing Estonia's Delfi, that Michal made the remarks after US defence officials had urged Baltic countries, including Estonia, to moderate their rhetoric towards Moscow.

“Estonia, like the other Baltic states, speaks openly about the threat posed by Russia. We have maintained this position before and will continue to do so,” Michal said.

He stressed that he had not received any such request directly from the United States, adding that the issue had not been raised during his last meeting with US President Donald Trump in Ankara over the summer.

“I am not going to hold back. Putin is a dictator who kills women and children. And he will continue doing so until he is forced to change course,” the Estonian prime minister said.

Michal also said Estonia allocates nearly 7% of its GDP to NATO-related needs, including defence spending, arguing that the country's contribution to protecting the alliance's eastern flank also strengthens global security.