NATO general: Baltic states now significantly better protected, but pace must increase
Lieutenant General John Meade of NATO's Joint Force Command Brunssum told LETA in Riga that Baltic defence has improved substantially thanks to clearer plans and coordination, though the alliance must keep adapting faster to evolving threats.
Speaking to LETA at the Riga Conference, Lieutenant General John Meade, deputy commander of NATO's Joint Force Command Brunssum, said the security situation in the Baltic states has improved considerably in recent years. He credited this largely to the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) concept, which aligns regional and national defence plans into one coherent framework.
Meade highlighted two operations already active in the region: Baltic Sentry, focused on protecting undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and Eastern Sentry, an air defence operation. He noted that no undersea cable-cutting incidents have occurred since Baltic Sentry began.
Gaps remain
Meade acknowledged that certain gaps in defence still exist, and a new campaign led by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe is underway to address them. He stressed that NATO must adapt faster, describing the current period as a revolution in military affairs. He identified the Baltic states' lack of geographic depth as a key strategic challenge, one offset by the collective support of all 32 alliance members.
On Russian hybrid attacks, Meade suggested the term itself may understate the threat, noting NATO's secretary general often prefers the word "destabilisation." He said such actions are largely aimed at weakening support for Ukraine, and the appropriate response is even greater alliance unity and continued backing for Kyiv.
US presence and logistics
Meade said some rebalancing of defence responsibilities is underway as European nations increase their contributions, but the US presence in Europe remains crucial. He pointed to significant progress in logistics coordination among the Baltic states and NATO, mentioning upcoming exercises involving national operational centres.
He said no additional international forces need to be deployed in the Baltics at present, though next year's Steadfast Defender exercise will test reinforcement capabilities. He also cited the joint German-Dutch operation that has led vigilance activities in Latvia and Estonia since July.
