Fortifying Europe: Reconciling Europe’s Needs & Resources -Tuuli Duneton @modestonia.bsky.social -Alexandre Escorcia, Ministry for the Armed Forces (France) -Joanne Hamer, Ministry of Defence (UK) -Viktoria Hjort-Malmer, Ministry of Defence (Sweden) Moderator: Lara Jakes @nytimes.com #ABCDTallinn

🔥 Innovation Under Fire: Adjusting Capabilities and Strategy for Modern Warfare - Marko Kaseleht, Nortal - Nicholas Nelson, Archangel / CEPA - Michael Vetter, Federal Ministry of Defence - Vadym Yunyk, RoGuard Systems Moderator: Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, UDCG IT Coalition #ABCDTallinn

Special thanks to @icds-tallinn.bsky.social for another impeccably executed ABCD — really important moment to have a focused forum for discussion on Baltic defense, covering a wide range of topics from strategic to technical.

This was a really interesting conversation - thanks so much to @icds-tallinn.bsky.social for putting it together!

The #ABCDTallinn was the perfect scene for a visit by Norwegian Deputy Defence Minister Anders Flåm. Good bilateral meetings with Secretaries General Kuusk and Vseviov, and a timely pre-event panel on maritime security with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace on stage. Thanks, @icds-tallinn.bsky.social

"It's no longer the platforms that make the difference, it will be our ability to sense, understand and orchestrate the effects chain including the sensor networks, the data, the analytics and the effectors." — Michael Vetter, Ministry of Defence of Germany. #ABCDTallinn

"Russia is testing NATO's unity and speed of response. Sweden has responded decisively." — Viktoria Hjort-Malmer, Defence Policy Director at the Ministry of Defence of Sweden. #ABCDTallinn

Rethinking Grand Strategy: Opportunities and Perils for a Transatlantic Future - Max Bergmann, CSIS @erep.csis.org - Francois-Marie Gougeon, NATO HQ - Jonatan Vseviov, MFA Estonia Moderator: Jacob Parakilas, RAND @randeurope.org @jparakilas.bsky.social @maxbergmann.bsky.social #ABCDTallinn

🧭 Navigating Uncertainty: The Threat in Focus - Adrian Ciolponea, NATO ACT - Michel Duclos, Institut Montaigne - Vahur Karus, Estonian Defence Forces - John Mead, JFC Brunssum Moderator: Jacopo Barigazzi, @politico.eu @jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social Session one of day two #ABCDTallinn

💬 "The danger nowadays comes from an increased Russian threat, combined with a new uncertainty about the US commitment to European security." — Michel Duclos, Senior Fellow at the Institut Montaigne. 🟩⬛ #ABCDTallinn

"There are concerns that military cooperation between Russia and North Korea will lead to the development of North Korea's ballistic missile and submarine capabilities." — Takahiro Sasaki, Visiting Professor at Hiroshima University. #ABCDTallinn

The theme: "Enemy at the Gates" reminds Europe to be a fortress of strength, cooperation and resilience. It's time to upgrade the châteaux into something more concrete and fortified, says Hanno Pevkur, Defence Minister of Estonia. @modestonia.bsky.social #ABCDTallinn

Fortress Europe must not adopt a 'besieged fortress' mindset. We should stay open and pursue progress over mere survival; otherwise, we will lose exactly what we are defending: our identity. — Cristian Bizadea, Lt. Gen. (r), Former Deputy Director of Romanian Intelligence Service. #ABCDTallinn

🦉 Night owls’ session by Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) | Russia’s War Economy: The Limits of Resilience - Alexandra Prokopenko, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center - Laura Solanko, Bank of Finland (BOFIT) - Iwona Wiśniewska, OSW Moderator: Filip Rudnik, OSW #ABCDTallinn

Enemy at the Gates: Turning Europe into a Fortress 📸 Day 1 of #ABCDTallinn Photos by Marko Mumm and Raul Mee: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCv1i8

"The Kremlin believes its ability to fund the war will outlast the West's willingness to continue its support for Kyiv. We cannot allow this to happen." — Iwona Wiśniewska, Senior Fellow at the Russian Department, Centre for Eastern Studies, Warsaw, Poland. @osweng.bsky.social #ABCDTallinn

"Economic slowdown in Russia will not end Russia's aggression." — Laura Solanko, Senior Advisor to the Bank of Finland Institute for Economies in Transition. @laurasolanko.bsky.social @suomenpankki.fi Russia’s War Economy: The Limits of Resilience #ABCDTallinn

Opening Session: Turning Europe into a Fortress Michael Elviss, Lieutenant General, Commander of the Field Army, United Kingdom Andrus Merilo, Lieutenant General, Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces Moderator: @kristiraik.bsky.social, Director at the ICDS #ABCDTallinn

Opening Session of #ABCDTallinn: Turning Europe into a Fortress 🗣️ Keynote speech by Guido Crosetto, Defence Minister of Italy

Shallow Waters and Deep Seas: Maritime Security in the Baltic and High North Post-NATO Enlargement - Robin Häggblom, Risk Intelligence - Kyrre Lohne, Kongsberg - John Mead, JFCBS - Jüri Saska, Baltic Workboats Moderator: Johannes Peters, ISPK Pre-event of #ABCDTallinn @corporalfrisk.com

It is very timely that #ABCDTallinn takes place during Estonia's first Defence Week — underlining how central defence industry has become to our national strategy. We are in a race against time, we need new technologies that work. — @kristenmichalpm.bsky.social, Prime Minister of Estonia.

"NATO might be the stronger party in the Baltic Sea, but there are only four navies focused solely on it — Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland." — Robin Häggblom, Senior Advisor at Risk Intelligence A/S. @corporalfrisk.com Pre-event of #ABCDTallinn | Shallow Waters and Deep Seas

Stage is almost set! 🟩⬛️ Just a few hours to go until the opening session: Turning Europe into a Fortress, featuring keynote speeches from Kristen Michal, Hanno Pevkur, and Guido Crosetto. Agenda: abcd.icds.ee/conference/a... @modestonia.bsky.social @kristenmichalpm.bsky.social #ABCDTallinn

ABCD has been a forum for high-level security discussions for almost two decades. This time, #ABCDTallinn joins Estonian Defence Week, helping to bridge academic discussions, political expectations, and defence industry opportunities. More: icds.ee/en/abcd-2025...

🏰 Enemy at the Gates: Turning Europe into a Fortress Beginning tomorrow, this year's #ABCDTallinn will address the strengthening of Europe's defence in the face of an increasingly uncertain security environment. More: abcd.icds.ee @modestonia.bsky.social

The security of Arctic cables is the most overlooked vulnerability in today’s global digital infrastructure. A new analysis by Anniki Mikelsaar looks at disruptions to submarine cables in the high north. @oii.ox.ac.uk

Moscow is concerned about growing Chinese influence in Central Asia, but the political necessity to maintain good ties with Beijing keeps rivalry muted. What role can the EU play in this geopolitical landscape? 📄 New report by Sanshiro Hosaka and Toomas Hanso. @sanshiro.bsky.social

"Satisfaction that the current response was a textbook example of properly executed protocols is misplaced when the textbook itself is no longer relevant." ⬇️ Tomas Jermalavičius on last week’s Russian incursion into Estonian airspace.

Noting that Von der Leyen’s drive to simplify EU regulations and governance is an open-ended commitment, Michael Emerson and I advocate that the Commission takes up the enlargement process as a next case of application. Via @ceps.eu www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...

Russia's low-cost campaign to expose NATO as allegedly a paper tiger—in terms of both military capability and political will—is only expected to grow in intensity, writes Tomas Jermalavičius after the violation of Estonian airspace on Friday. icds.ee/en/natos-mig...

🟩⬛ Enemy at the Gates: Turning Europe into a Fortress The 19th Annual Baltic Conference on Defence is just around the corner! 📌 23-24 September 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia @ Tallinn Creative Hub Check out the speakers and agenda! abcd.icds.ee #ABCDTallinn @modestonia.bsky.social

Over the past decade, South Korea has strengthened ties with Europe and NATO on cybersecurity and cyber defence. While facing different threat environments, Korea could draw valuable lessons from the EU #CyberSolidarityAct, writes Siim Alatalu for Korea On Point. ➡ koreaonpoint.org/articles/art...

China is eroding—but not replacing—Russia’s sphere of influence in Central Asia, where countries are increasingly pursuing multi-vector foreign policies. The EU could play an important role. 📄 New report by Sanshiro Hosaka and Toomas Hanso. @sanshiro.bsky.social

NATO reaktsioon Venemaa droonidele Poola õhuruumis peegeldab alliansi hetkeseisu – õhu- ja raketikaitse toimis, liitlased tegutsesid koordineeritult, kuid esile tulid ka tõsised võimepuudused, kirjutab Tony Lawrence RKK uudiskirjas. @icds-tallinn.bsky.social

"It is Europe’s weakness & hesitation that encourage Russia and allow Putin to believe that he can achieve a better outcome by continuing the war. Europeans must define their long-term commitments so that Russia’s calculation changes & continuation of war no longer pays off." @kristiraik.bsky.social

Finland, as a historic example, is more relevant as a warning than as a model. Kristi Raik explains what sets Ukraine apart from Finland, and why conceding territory for peace is unlikely to work. @kristiraik.bsky.social

Finland’s history offers a warning, not a model. Kristi Raik explains how Ukraine differs from Finland – and why trading land for peace is unlikely to bring lasting stability. @foreignpolicy.com @kristiraik.bsky.social

NATO figures show Europe and Canada are catching up with the US: their share of #NATO defence spending rose from 28% in 2015 to 36% in 2024, and is expected to reach 38% this year. ⬇️ Felix Gasper reviews current defence spending by each NATO ally: icds.ee/en/defence-s...

As NATO faces undeclared hybrid warfare in the Baltic Sea region, the Baltic Sea itself could become a key and complex operational theatre in the event of a NATO-Russia conflict. Credible naval capability, political resolve, and early, visible action are essential.

The current challenge for NATO lies in cost sustainability. While the Alliance can intercept and neutralise drones, the imbalance is stark: a fighter jet missile costs €500 000–€1 million, while a Russian drone costs €10 000–€50 000, says Marek Kohv.

Yesterday, a distinguished delegation from the Japanese think tank ROLES visited ICDS for a roundtable, where experts from Estonia and Japan discussed regional and global security challenges. ➡️ More: icds.ee/en/icds-and-... @atsukohigashino.bsky.social @kristiraik.bsky.social

Paul O’Shea delivered insights on Japan’s shifting politics & waning pacifism, highlighting generational change, fears of US abandonment, and the erosion of the rules-based order shared by both Japan & the EU.

The EUVIP dissemination workshop with ICDS kicked off in Tallinn, Estonia. In the Indo-Pacific, the EU faces increasing pressure. @euvip.bsky.social head Alfred highlighted the need for more military commitment, listening to the region & deeper ties with like-minded partners.

🌏 This week, ICDS hosted a Japan Chair seminar on the EU’s role in the volatile Indo-Pacific region. @euvip.bsky.social The keynote presentation by Theresa Fallon was followed by a discussion with Alfred Gerstl, Paul O'Shea and Monique Taylor, moderated by Bart Gaens. ➡️ icds.ee/en/japan-cha...

How can NATO safeguard the Baltic maritime domain from hybrid and high-end threats? Credible naval power is needed to deter aggression, prevent escalation, and keep sea lanes open. 📝 Tony Lawrence, Niklas Granholm, Björn Ottosson, and Igor Schvede:

"The stakes are high, and the timeline is short. Deterrence must not wait for perfect conditions. It must begin now." 📄 New Policy Paper on security in the Baltic Sea Region by Tony Lawrence (ICDS), Niklas Granholm (FOI), Björn Ottosson (FOI), and Igor Schvede. @niklasg.bsky.social

Soldiers are modern warfare’s most vital asset. Protecting them in the drone age demands innovative fortifications. ⬇️ A new ICDS brief by Sahaidachnyi Security Center presents a blueprint based on end-user design, dispersion, concealment, modularity, and adaptability.

Developing an enhanced air and missile defence architecture for Europe is a necessity, not a luxury, our policy paper concludes. The violation of Poland's territorial integrity by Russian drones is a clear example of the urgent need. Read more: icds.ee/en/defending...

Today, many ask: ‘Who will follow Zelenskyy?’ Assassinated Ukraine's former parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy will no longer have a say in that, which is exactly what Russia wants. James Sherr writes about killing of Parubiy, and the purpose it may have served.

"To preserve peace, protect its interests, and stay relevant globally, Europe must take its nuclear responsibilities more seriously—demanding political courage, strategic vision, and tough debates, writes Finn-Niklas Brünner." icds.ee/en/europe-ne... via @icds-tallinn.bsky.social