The Baltic and Nordic region plays a critical role in ensuring European defence, security, resilience and innovation. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Nordic countires are a strategic stronghold for both NATO and the EU, and are staunch supporters of Ukraine’s fight for freedom. Yet in the context of shifting transatlantic relations and Russia’s war of aggression, the region faces heightened exposure to hybrid warfare and potential military confrontation.

Following a keynote speech by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the event will discuss the Baltic–Nordic perspective on European defence and security, including the roles of Estonia, Ukraine, and the implications of the United States’ strategic pivot away from Europe. Drawing on his work as co-author of a recent report on the future of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), Ilves will also present key findings on hybrid security threats in the Baltic Sea region.

This event takes place within the framework of the EPC’s Northern Europe Platform (NEP), which provides a forum for analysis and debate on developments in the Nordic, Baltic and Arctic regions. The Platform aims to inform and shape European policymaking, notably in the areas of defence and security, economy and innovation, and climate and sustainability.

Participation is open to EPC members, media, and EU officials.

For media enquiries, please contact media@epc.eu.

For other queries, please contact events@epc.eu.