NATO's European Commander: Russia Poses a Threat, but Situation Should Not Be Dramatised
NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, said during a visit to Latvia that Russia poses a threat but the situation should not be dramatised, urging resilience and readiness. He stressed the importance of a data architecture for defending the alliance's eastern flank.
General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told journalists during a visit to Latvia that Russia poses a threat, but the situation should not be dramatised. In his view, it is important to be resilient and prepared. The message is relevant for residents of the Baltic states, who are asking whether they should prepare for war with Russia.
Threat from Russia
Grynkewich said that in Ukraine, Russia is demonstrating a willingness to pursue its political goals through violence and war. He described the violence as incomprehensible and, referring to remarks by US President Donald Trump, stressed that the war must end.
The general welcomed various governments' initiatives to strengthen societal resilience. According to him, Latvia and other countries on NATO's eastern flank have experience from which other allies can learn. He said resilience should be built now, before it becomes necessary. Citing Trump's principle of "peace through strength", he said that by being strong and preparing for conflict, it is possible to prevent it from happening at all.
What NATO needs
Asked about the most urgent needs in defending the Baltic states, Grynkewich first noted that the alliance is already ready to confront threats, while always seeking to improve. Given the rapid pace of innovation on the battlefield, the alliance must constantly introduce new solutions to stay a step ahead of what is emerging in Ukraine and in the conflict in the Middle East.
The main focus at present is on data and the algorithms that help make sense of it. The general pointed to the need for a data architecture that would pool information gathered by sensors and build a picture of the battlefield, airspace and land manoeuvre space on the eastern flank. This would make military activity more effective and help implement his "theory of victory" outlined in Warsaw, which is why he would initially concentrate on data architecture.
Role of the commander
According to NATO's website, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe is responsible for the strategic-level command of all the alliance's military operations and leads Allied Command Operations. He plans operations, determines the forces they require and requests them from member states. In the event of aggression against a member state, he is responsible for carrying out military measures to preserve or restore the security of alliance territory. Grynkewich has held the post since July 2025.
