NATO Summit in Ankara: Experts Urge Caution but Hope for Clear Security Commitments

The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara should be approached with caution rather than excessive optimism, said Toms Rātfelders, lecturer at Riga Stradiņš University and researcher at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, on the program "Kāpēc". Along with Armands Astukevičs, senior researcher at the Center for Eastern European Policy Studies, they agreed that the most important messages expected from the summit are allied presence and a clear signal that they will defend every centimeter of our territory.

Astukevičs added that even with Latvia allocating 5% of GDP to defense, it may not be enough to earn US recognition, because "unfortunately, top students are in the same class as failing ones." In his assessment, this summit will be one of the most significant geopolitical benchmarks, with global attention focused on the US. "I think we won't hear anything very radical, but small signals also matter, especially at a time when there is concern in Europe about the US presence on the continent," the expert noted.

Rātfelders explained that two issues are most important for our region: renewed allied commitment to defend us in case of attack and practical matters regarding allied presence, including US troops in Europe. He added that the US wants to move troops out of Germany, possibly to Poland, which would be beneficial as Poland is the region's strategic center for military planning against Russia.