The partial American retreat from Western security cooperation is a serious challenge—but also an opportunity for Europe, Canada, and Indo-Pacific middle powers to build a more resilient multilateral order, writes Jonathan Berkshire Miller. #LennartMeriConference

Europe and North America must continue to stand together to keep our people safe. Unity is NATO’s centre of gravity. It underpins both deterrence and defence, writes Oana Lungescu. @oanalungescu.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

The very systems underpinning modern economies and security architectures are also a critical vulnerability for space powers, including Europe. ⬇️ Brief by Béatrice Hainaut on the evolving space environment and the EU’s push for greater autonomy in space. @irsem.bsky.social

Our #EU Briefs series continues with a paper by Béatrice Hainaut (@irsem.bsky.social) on space-related issues🛰️ : read “European Autonomy in Orbit” here ⬇️

Genuine strategic autonomy cannot rely on a limited number of countries or a space coalition of the willing. Space is necessarily an area of close cooperation between the EU and NATO, writes Béatrice Hainaut. @irsem.bsky.social

French forward deterrence is an incremental evolution, adapting to a more contested security environment while preserving core principles of national deterrence. For the Baltic states, its value is indirect but real, writes Héloïse Fayet. @hfayet.bsky.social @ifri.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

The Trumpian approach to policymaking is damaging. It frays the ties that bind and undermines a core element of deterrence: belief in its automaticity. Deterrence is as much political and psychological as military, writes Hiski Haukkala. @haukkala.bsky.social @fiia.fi #LennartMeriConference

RUSSIAN GRAND STRATEGY is available to pre-order online! Do not miss out 👀 www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0GX...

Missed the launch of the new Niinistö report? Watch it on youtu.be/oBfM1vOf0JQ @ceps.eu @rusi.bsky.social @clingendael.bsky.social

🎉 Twenty years ago today, Montenegro voted to regain its independence and restore its statehood. A historic moment that shaped the country’s future. Jakov Milatović #LennartMeriConference

Today, ICDS hosted a meeting with the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of Singapore, K. Shanmugam, accompanied by Brig. Gen. Amos Yeo and a delegation. @kristiraik.bsky.social

US abandonment risk means NATO must be able to deter and, if needed, fight Russia without US support. With Washington’s commitment uncertain, defence integration must be built for the worst-case scenario, writes Peter Viggo Jakobsen. #LennartMeriConference

Holding on to the Umbrella: The Future of Nuclear Deterrence - Dmitry Adamsky - Héloïse Fayet @hfayet.bsky.social - @nicolegrajewski.bsky.social - @olyaoliker.bsky.social - Carolina Vendil Pallin Moderator: Andrea Kendall-Taylor @cnas.bsky.social 📸 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTSc3 #LennartMeriConference

In This Together: New Momentum for Indo-Pacific and Europe - Yoon-jeong Baek - Kęstutis Budrys - Angus Campbell - Maria Theresa Lazaro - Harinder Sekhon - @taravarma.bsky.social Moderated by @scclemons.bsky.social 🎦 www.youtube.com/watch?v=wluT... 📸 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTQNA #LennartMeriConference

Urgent investment in advanced air defence, low-cost drone interceptors and robotics is essential. The strategic environment has changed dramatically, writes Baiba Braže. @baibabraze.bsky.social @latvianmfa.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

Building Forward: Small but Resilient - Hiski Haukkala @fiia.fi - Jakov Milatović - Ayman Safadi - Maia Sandu Moderator: Sylvie Kauffmann, @lemonde.fr 🎦 Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtI0... 📸 Photos: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTQP2 @sylviekauffmann.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

Not One Centimetre: Europe’s Defence Strategy - Ingo Gerhartz - @carlomasala1.bsky.social - Hanno Pevkur - Robert Wilkie - @baibabraze.bsky.social Moderated by @kimdozier.bsky.social 🎦 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzID... 📸 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTQP7 @modestonia.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

Ukraine’s Strategic Place: From Frontline to Foundation - @sebastianhartmann.bsky.social - @jekavanagh.bsky.social - Mark Montgomery - @tsahkna.bsky.social - Mariana Betsa Moderated by @shaneharris.bsky.social 🎦 www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVuU... 📸 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTQR6 #LennartMeriConference

Fireside Chat with Andrus Merilo, Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Ben Hodges - Andrus Merilo, Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces - Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK - @general-ben.bsky.social, Former Commanding General of US Army Europe Fortune Favours the Brave #LennartMeriConference

Day 3 #LennartMeriConference Breakfast sessions, a panel on the future of nuclear deterrence, a fireside chat with Kaja Kallas, and a closing panel feat. Elena Lazarou, Phillips O’Brien, Kristi Raik, Thomas Röwekamp, Bruno Tertrais & Edward Luce. The day concluded with remarks by Director Eda Ahi.

Good to speak to Edward Luce at Lennart Meri Conference about Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Middle East and trans-Atlantic relations. On Russia, the most important thing is that we keep up the pressure because they are not at the point of coming to the negotiation table to actually negotiate.

From Iran to Ukraine and transatlantic ties — discussing today's key security challenges at the Lennart Meri Conference with @edwardluce.bsky.social and @kajakallas.bsky.social. 🎦 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOQn... 📸 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTQRb Fortune Favours the Brave #LennartMeriConference

Closing panel of #LennartMeriConference 2026: "The Master Plan: Europe’s Grand Strategy" - @elenalaz.bsky.social - @phillipspobrien.bsky.social - @kristiraik.bsky.social - Thomas Röwekamp - @brunotertrais.bsky.social Moderator: @edwardluce.bsky.social 🎦 Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=_JaT...

"Europe needs to stop listening to the official voice of Washington." The Washington official voice gives terrible analysis as it represents the political interests of Washington, says Phillips O’Brien. @phillipspobrien.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

Looking at the world from Greece: every theatre of conflict we are facing is linked to the other. — @elenalaz.bsky.social, Director General at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy #LennartMeriConference

"European decline can be almost exactly linked to when it stopped spending on defence." Europe will have so much better high tech if it spends this defence money wisely, says Phillips O’Brien. @phillipspobrien.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

There used to be a time when my role on many panels was to convince everyone Russia is a serious threat, but I don't feel I have to do it anymore. — @kristiraik.bsky.social, Director @icds-tallinn.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

"We do not need more of the same in every European state; what we need is a framework of shared capabilities." We have to share the capabilities, says Thomas Röwekamp, Chairman of the Defence Committee of the German Bundestag. #LennartMeriConference

There is a tendency for our political leaders to impose on industries projects that are not viable in the long term. — @brunotertrais.bsky.social, Deputy Director of the Foundation for Strategic Research #LennartMeriConference

This is no longer the 60s and 70s. We are ageing societies; we have gone soft, most of us—not Estonia, of course. — Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Foundation for Strategic Research. @brunotertrais.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

"Europe has the second largest defence budget in the world. This is no longer a debate about money, it's about using this money for military purposes" Together, we are able to be strong. We are not yet strong together, says Thomas Röwekamp. #LennartMeriConference

It matters what small states do, because without our own agency and determination to be where we are and to be part of Europe, we would not exist as neighbours of Russia. — Kristi Raik stressed that small-state agency matters. @kristiraik.bsky.social #Estonia #LennartMeriConference

If an agreement foresees obligations to Ukraine to hold elections we should mirror this to Russia Russia is the problem that is constantly attacking neighbouring countries. — @kajakallas.bsky.social in conversation with @edwardluce.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

"We can’t be the ones who are begging Russia to talk to us." Russia hoped talks with the Americans would achieve what it couldn’t on the battlefield, but that hasn’t worked because we’ve continued supporting Ukraine on the battlefield. @kajakallas.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

Should Gerhard Schröder be negotiating on Ukraine? Yes... He should represent Russia. @kajakallas.bsky.social @edwardluce.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

The past year and a half should have made it clear that the US can’t deliver Ukraine. Ukraine also has to agree. And even if you force a leader into a deal, in a democracy the people still have to buy in. — Kaja Kallas, HR/VP @ec.europa.eu @kajakallas.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

We are in close contact with the Gulf countries and regional leaders all the time, and what they are saying is there will be a discussion of the security architecture in the region and Europe should be a part of that. — Kaja Kallas on the Middle East. @kajakallas.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

Most countries in the world are small countries in their stance, and that is why we need to stick together. Some powers want to dismantle the European Union because we are much stronger together. — @kajakallas.bsky.social, HR/VP @ec.europa.eu #LennartMeriConference

You cannot allow yourself to become dependent in a critical area on an actor that could use your dependency as a political weapon. That is the rule. — Kęstutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania #LennartMeriConference

China has become a robust trade partner, but we still face issues, such as continued incursions into Philippine waters. However, tensions must be resolved through diplomacy. — Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines #LennartMeriConference

India has developed its diplomatic relations with the US, the EU, and Russia separately and on merit. We have come a long way from being isolated. — Harinder Sekhon, Distinguished Fellow at CUTS International #LennartMeriConference

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the presence of North Korean troops have demonstrated the shared security challenges facing the two regions. — Angus Campbell, Ambassador of Australia to the European Union, NATO, Belgium, and Luxembourg #LennartMeriConference

We view North Korea–Russia military cooperation as a very serious security threat. — Yoon-jeong Baek, Deputy Director-General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea #LennartMeriConference

The European Union is mainly seen as an economic partner in the Indo-Pacific while seeking to project itself in the region as a security actor. — Tara Varma, Managing Director of Strategic Foresight and Director of the @gmfus.bsky.social Paris Office @taravarma.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

There are many factors driving the Philippines to cooperate with the EU beyond the economic aspect, and one important factor is the rule of law. — Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines #LennartMeriConference

Warfare has changed. Military power is democratised. Big powers can't win wars like they used to. — Jennifer Kavanagh, Director and Senior Fellow of Military Analysis at Defense Priorities. #LennartMeriConference

Russia is afraid of democracy and human rights. It is scared of a Revolution of Dignity on its own soil. That is why it wants Ukraine as a buffer zone. — Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine #LennartMeriConference

The most effective security guarantee for Ukraine is NATO membership. But the discussion should also include the security guarantees Ukraine can provide to Europe, because security works both ways. — Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia #LennartMeriConference

Ukraine is buying us time, and we should thank them every day for this, says Sebastian Hartmann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Germany. #LennartMeriConference

There are no signs Russia wants to end the war. Russia's ambition to destroy Ukraine as a nation remains. But we have bad news for Russia: we as Ukrainians will keep fighting. — Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine #LennartMeriConference