Skip navigation
ABCD 2024

Shifting Threat Perceptions

There is a unanimity about Russian threat to NATO and to the European Union that has not been seen in decades. Allies and Member States are also witnessing an increasing volatility on the global scale and many of these threats have a military dimension. However, divergences in threat perceptions remain. Perhaps they have even deepened. They reveal themselves most visibly via vast differences in the defence investments, but also in the military assistance to Ukraine. This has a potential for friction that poses a strategic threat to our unity. How are threat perceptions changing amongst Allies? Is the principle of “fair burden sharing” still relevant? What are the implications to NATO’s collective defence and to other core tasks? Is Europe ready for increased volatility within itself and around its periphery? Is there a sense of urgency or complacency?

Speakers

Wolfgang Ohl

Deputy Director-General for Military Strategy and Operations at the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany

Eric Peltier

Deputy Director General for International Relations and Strategy at the Ministry for the Armed Forces of France

Nuno Lemos Pires

National Defence Policy Director at the Ministry of National Defence of Portugal

Moderator

Sven Sakkov

Ambassador of Estonia to Finland