Estonian Defense Minister @ Brookings Institute, Washington, D.C.

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Defending NATO’s eastern flank: A conversation on Russia with Estonia’s minister of defense

Defending NATO’s eastern flank: A conversation on Russia with Estonia’s minister of defense
The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium                                                                                                                                                                                   1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW                                                                                                                                                                                                          Washington, DC

On March 2, the Brookings Institution will host His Excellency Jüri Luik, Estonia’s minister of defense, for a conversation on Russia, the security environment in Europe, and the challenges facing NATO in light of renewed great power competition.

Estonia and its Baltic neighbors constitute NATO’s frontlines. Their small size, proximity to Russia, and physical distance from Western allies make their defense against Russian aggression a planning challenge for NATO policymakers, Yet, the credibility of NATO’s security guarantee depends on the resolve and ability of these policymakers to develop credible mechanisms for defense against a Russian attack.
Throughout its resurgence under Vladimir Putin, Russia has built up significant military assets near its western frontier, annexed Ukrainian territory, destabilized significant parts of the Middle East, and interfered in the political systems of Western nations—including the United States—to sow division and undermine liberal values. At this juncture, Western leaders are faced with a daunting challenge: how to demonstrate unity in the face of Russian aggression.