The Annual Conference on Russia, hosted by the Baltic Defence College, recently concluded in Tartu, bringing together more than 340 high-level attendees from the Baltic and Allied military communities; international institutions; governments; academia; and the private sector. This year’s conference, titled "Perpetual Conflict: Russia and the Struggle for European Security," focused on the strategic and operational shifts necessitated by Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

The Conference was opened by Brigadier General Alvydas Šiuparis, the Commandant of the Baltic Defence College. The Commandant noted that this year’s event identified Russia as the primary, enduring threat to European security, evidenced by its transition to a war economy and its persistent use of both conventional and hybrid aggression. He added that, while Moscow's global ambitions often outstrip its material capabilities, the Alliance must avoid complacency and instead meet these challenges with renewed strategic clarity and transatlantic unity. BG Šiuparis also stated that the Conference aims to provide the practical insights and innovative thinking necessary to bolster the collective defence of the Baltic region and wider Europe by fostering honest debate and challenging existing assumptions.

A significant highlight of the event was the keynote address by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, former Secretary General of NATO, who emphasised that NATO remains a purely defensive alliance and is not an enemy of the Russian people. Reflecting on his extensive career, he remarked that President Putin achieved in mere months what he himself could not achieve in four years: the accession of Sweden and Finland to the Alliance.

Following the high-level keynote speech, the Conference was structured into six core sessions:

Panel I: Perpetual Conflict – Russia and the Struggle for European Security. The opening session examined the shifting liberal world order and the domestic hurdles facing Western democracies. Lord Robertson of Port Ellen joined Prof Brian Whitmore; Prof Sven Biscop; and Mr Peter Slezkine to discuss the "perpetual" nature of the Russian threat. Moderated by Mr. Louis Wierenga, the crux of the debate was the potential retreat of the US as Europe's security guarantor and the urgent need for a "renewed Atlanticism" to fill the void.

Panel II: European Defence – Is Fast-forward Fast Enough? Focusing on the urgent need for re-armament, this session analysed the efficiency of European defence policy in the context of technological innovation and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse; Mr Ed Arnold; Ambassador (ret) Arkady Mil-Man; and Major General Ivan Martin; moderated by Dr Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, argued that Europe must adapt more rapidly through strategic alignment and enhanced EU-NATO co-operation.

Panel III: Reinforcing Trans-Atlantic Unity Against Russia's Aggressive Ambitions. This panel explored the resilience of the Trans-Atlantic nexus and the potential for a "NATO 2.0". Featuring Senator Douglas V. Mastriano; Dr Joris van Bladel; Prof Taras Kuzio; and Ms Minna Ålander, with moderation by COL Jonathan Huxley, the discussion addressed societal polarisation and the strategic gaps exposed by the war. The panellists noted how Europe has stepped up its contributions since 2022, framing Ukraine's role as key to European security.

Panel IV: Student Panel – Operational Lessons from Russian Aggression. In a session bridging theory and practice, Baltic Defence College students—LTC Tomas Baltrūnas; MAJ Yaroslav Vasylyuk; MAJ Alminas Sinevičius; and MAJ James H. Shoop—presented findings on defence innovations. Moderated by LTC Daniel McManus, the panel focused on applying Ukrainian battlefield lessons to the specific defence needs of the Baltic states.

Panel V: Between Moscow and the West – Russian Speakers in the Baltics. Turning to societal resilience, Dr Kristina Kallas, the Estonian Minister for Education; Dr Ieva Bērziņa; Dr Ieva Birka; and Dr. Stefano Braghiroli examined the unique challenges of Estonia and Latvia in balancing the rights of Russian speakers with national security concerns. Under the moderation of Dr Viljar Veebel, the panel provided practical suggestions for future integration to ensure a strong, cohesive society.

Panel VI: Can Regional Coalitions Deter Russia’s Hostile Intentions? The final panel, featuring Mr Kaimo Kuusk, Permanent Secretart of the Estonian Ministry of Defence; Lt Gen (ret) Stuart Skeates; Dr Kai-Olaf Lang; and Dr Gustav Gressel discussed the rise of "Flankism". Moderated by Dr Zdzislaw Sliwa, the experts argued that regional coalitions along NATO’s Eastern flank are crucial for ensuring deterrence, which ultimately depends on a unified national will and the alignment of national security interests.

Concluding Addresses. The Annual Conference on Russia 2026 concluded with a high-level political address titled "Future Challenges and Solutions for European Security", delivered by Ms Marina Kaljurand, Member of the European Parliament. Ms. Kaljurand highlighted the role of the European Parliament in safeguarding future Ukrainian and European security. She addressed the challenges currently facing the Union, such as enlargement fatigue, the necessity for reforms, and fragmentation; however, she also emphasised the vital importance of EU solidarity and a singular, united European voice.

Closing the event, the Dean of the Baltic Defence College, Dr Tiia-Triin Truusa, reiterated the mission to fuel practical actions during these critical times, bridging the gap between high-level debate and operational necessity.

The Conference was supported by our valued partners: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Baltic States, European Leadership Network (ELNET), and Žemaitijos Pienas together with Tiche natural mineral water.