NATO STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024

Series of national and multinational large-scale live exercises (LIVEX) conducted across various geographical locations within SACEUR’s area of responsibility. It is the largest NATO exercise in decades, with approximately 90,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen from 31 Allies and Sweden, and it will be based on NATO’s new defence plans. The exercise demonstrates NATO’s capability to quickly deploy and reinforce in times of crisis, focusing on training for deterrence and defense across the Euro-Atlantic region.

If Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, it could continue, and then it’s the Baltic states who would be next, according to a statement by the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, ahead of the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Landsbergis emphasized that Ukraine is currently holding back Russian aggression on its territory, adding that he hopes for its success in this war. “But if the Ukrainians are unsuccessful, we have to be ready to answer the question of who will contain Russia then,” said the Lithuanian minister. According to him, the Baltic countries could be the first to fall under danger. “Now we do feel the war close to us, we understand that if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, it could continue, and then it’s the Baltic states who would be next. And hopefully this could send a message to our friends and partners in Europe, in NATO, that we have to take it seriously,” Landsbergis stated. He added that Ukraine’s war is existential for Europe. “This is why we feel the chill of the war on our necks,” said the Lithuanian Foreign Minister. The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania also commented on the situation, stating that there is currently no threat of a Russian attack on NATO, as Moscow is focused on Ukraine.