{"id":33645,"date":"2021-12-06T09:55:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T09:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/12\/06\/estonias-defense-minister-strengthening-nato-from-a-2030-perspective-and-beyond\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:44:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:44:59","slug":"estonias-defense-minister-strengthening-nato-from-a-2030-perspective-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/outlook\/2021\/12\/06\/estonias-defense-minister-strengthening-nato-from-a-2030-perspective-and-beyond\/","title":{"rendered":"Estonia\u2019s defense minister: Strengthening NATO, from a 2030 perspective and beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most volatile security crises in post-Cold War Europe unfolds, just as I write this article, on NATO\u2019s and the European Union\u2019s eastern borders with Belarus. The crisis, fabricated by dictator Alexander Lukashenko\u2019s regime, no doubt with the Kremlin\u2019s knowledge and support, could have long-term consequences for Europe\u2019s security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, Russia and Belarus<\/a> have created a new threatening \u201cnormality\u201d on Europe\u2019s eastern rims that is intended to mirror, albeit artificially, Europe\u2019s south. Misled migrants are used as weapons in inhumane hybrid attacks aimed at destabilizing neighbors, creating cracks between allies and gaining political profit. Russia pretends to be only part of the solution that would arrive as soon as President Vladimir Putin tells Lukashenko to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine is under Russia\u2019s permanent political, military and economic pressure. The Kremlin has deployed large contingents repeatedly toward Ukraine\u2019s eastern and northeastern borders, and has increased its military posture in occupied Crimea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deployment of more Russian forces to Belarus, on Ukraine\u2019s northern border, and the launch of a decisive operation against Ukraine could be just a matter of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The allies need to demonstrate unity and solidarity \u2014 not to submit to threats and blackmail \u2014 and ensure that Lukashenko\u2019s regime fails to achieve its goal of destabilizing the Baltic countries and Poland. The escalating tensions at Ukraine\u2019s borders and NATO\u2019s and the EU\u2019s eastern borders could degenerate into wider conflict. Moscow and Minsk demonstrated, so far, their willingness to escalate. NATO allies should demonstrate a firm commitment and a readiness to deter and defend. The exchange of information between allies and appropriate strategic communication are of paramount importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NATO\u2019s strength, endurance and success is based on shared democratic values and on the unity, determination and ability of allies to focus, adapt and respond jointly to an increasing variety of risks and dangers. The conventional and hybrid threats and challenges that the alliance must withstand in all domains (land, maritime, air, cyber and space) have become largely global.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NATO needs to focus, in a 2030 perspective and beyond, on three main areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n