NATO has reaffirmed its focus on countering Russian aggression as part of its enhanced deterrence and defence posture, which has been significantly reinforced following the war in Ukraine.
In a recent press briefing at the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting, a senior NATO official highlighted that Russia remains a central threat in NATO’s strategic planning, alongside non-state actors such as terrorist groups.
The official explained that NATO’s new family of defence plans is designed to prepare the alliance for potential conflicts with both state and non-state adversaries. “This family of plans explains the way we want to prepare and, if needed, to fight against an aggressor, being either Russia or the terror groups,” the official stated.
This marks a continued shift in NATO’s strategic focus, which has evolved from post-Cold War peacekeeping and expeditionary operations to countering direct threats to European security. The conflict in Ukraine has played a pivotal role in shaping NATO’s approach to Russia, with the alliance adopting more robust deterrence measures aimed at preventing further Russian incursions.
The official noted that NATO’s efforts to bolster its defensive posture against Russia are part of a long-term plan. “The reinforcement of our deterrence and defence is a long journey that started a while ago and will keep us busy for the next probably decade or so,” they remarked.
As NATO implements its plans to counter potential Russian aggression, the alliance is also encouraging member nations to increase defence spending and bolster their capabilities. With 23 NATO members now meeting the 2% GDP target for defence spending, the official expressed optimism about the alliance’s ability to sustain these efforts, stating, “23 is really encouraging.”
