During the 29-30 June summit, NATO adopted its new Strategic Concept, reached an agreement to accept Finland and Sweden into the alliance, decided to significantly expand its military presence in Europe, particularly CEE, and pledged long-term support to Ukraine. However, the most important outcome was perhaps the display of unity and a renewed sense of purpose as a fundamental transatlantic organization ensuring collective security amid intensifying Russian aggression and threats.

Unlike the 2010 NATO Strategic Concept seeking a strategic partnership with Russia, the new concept identifies Russia as “the most significant and direct threat to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.” To counter the threat, NATO is set to scale up existing battle groups to brigade-size units, pre-position new equipment, and strengthen air-defense capabilities in the Baltic states. The US will also establish a permanent command base in Poland, including additional troops and equipment, and deploy a new rotational brigade to Romania. The CEE region will also benefit from other NATO-wide decisions such as the announced expansion of the NATO Response Force (NRF) from 40,000 to more than 300,000 soldiers, a review of deterrence and defense plans, and a pledge to boost the common budget and the additional US reinforcements in Western Europe.

The agreed accession of Finland and Sweden will significantly boost NATO posture in the Baltic Sea region and improve the defense of more vulnerable Baltic states. Finland and Sweden signed their accession protocols on 5 July, which now await ratification by all 30 members of the alliance.

*This policy brief is the result of the roundtable organized on the occasion of the 17th edition of the International Scientific Conference ”Defense Resources Management in the 21st Century” co-organized by the Regional Department of Defense Resources Management Studies (DRESMARA) – NATO Center for Education and Instruction (PTEC) in collaboration with the POLITICAL RESEARCH GROUP, between 27th – 28th October 2022 in Brasov, Romania.