Maria Th. Geyer’s Post

❗ The report, written by Lukasz Kulesa, Marcin Terlikowski, Maria Geyer and Andrea Rotter, offers insights and recommendations on Weimar Triangle policy towards Ukraine and Russia, based on a workshop with experts from France, Germany and Poland, convened in Warsaw by #PISM and Hanns Seidel Foundation. #EuropeanSecurity #WeimarTriangle 📑 You can download the report here ➡ https://tiny.pl/dqst9   ➡ Beyond increasing bilateral military support for #Ukraine, #France, #Germany, and #Poland could announce a Weimar Assistance Package that addresses Ukraine’s military needs and look into establishing a Consultation Mechanism with Ukraine, to prepare for contingencies and worst-case scenarios such as Ukraine’s military setbacks or withdrawal of U.S. support. ➡ The Weimar Triangle's future approach to #Russia could involve strengthening #NATO deterrence, presenting a set of guiding principles for a long-term Western strategy toward Russia, and developing a common Weimar position on any potential Russian diplomatic initiatives. ➡ The Weimar Triangle, comprising France, Germany, and Poland, could play a more active role in shaping European security. The report suggests measures for enhancing cooperation and developing a common approach towards Ukraine and Russia. #EuropeanSecurity #WeimarTriangle 🔹 Many thanks to all engaged in the project, especially to the experts from the Weimar Triangle states who participated in the November 2023 workshop!

It was a great pleasure to hear the Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen giving a lecture on Finland’s decision to join NATO. The Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) – where I’m currently interning – organized a closed-door event at the Diplomatische Akademie Wien.   Elina Valtonen highlighted how the Finns' attitude towards #NATO has changed since the outbreak of the #Russian-#Ukrainian war. While joining NATO was previously rejected, as a result of the growing Russian threat, the public opinion shifted in favor of NATO membership. And as it usually happens in a well-functioning democracy, politics responded to the people's needs and the accession process was launched in May 2022. Since April 2023, the Finnish armed forces have been part of NATO. NATO gained an incredibly strong ally with #Finland, not only militarily but also strategically. Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, and this proximity allows NATO to better monitor and respond to potential #securitythreats in the region and defend its members. Moreover, Finland significantly increased its #nationalsecurity and sent a clear message to Russia that Finland is committed towards Western partnerships. For more info and the video on the Finnish Foreign Minister’s speech, check out the website of #AIES https://lnkd.in/dgs5iqKG

Sweden’s recent ascension to NATO (along with neighboring Finland, which joined last year) marked the completion of a decades-long evolution between the two famously non-aligned nations and the NATO alliance. This excellent Deutsche Welle analysis traces Sweden’s long journey to full NATO status. Highlighted along the way are related moves by Sweden (most notably membership in the European Union) and how Russia’s long history of armed aggression against neighboring nations progressively moved Sweden closer to NATO membership. Also highlighted are the positive implications for western defense in the Baltic region with both Sweden and Finland as full members of the alliance.

The #NATOSummit in Washington, D.C., has concluded, marking NATO's 75th anniversary with major decisions and plans for the future. Our Embassy Team was happy to welcome the Belgian delegation led by PM Alexander De Croo and Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib. During the NATO Summit, the Alliance celebrated numerous milestones and achievements, as well as newest members Finland and Sweden. It also sent out a powerful message to the world by reaffirming their commitment and readiness to defend democracy, freedom and security. We look back at the 3 days of the NATO Summit in Washington. Allies made decisions to further strengthen deterrence and defense, bolster long-term support to Ukraine and deepen global partnerships. The pledges include: - More immediate military aid for Ukraine, including air defense systems and F-16 jets. - A comprehensive support package to Ukraine that guarantees assistance to Ukraine in the long term. - Accelerating defense industrial capacity and production and to bolster transatlantic defense cooperation. - NATO will directly coordinate financial support for Ukraine via the new NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). - Ukraine is on an irreversible path to NATO membership. - Deepening ties with Indo-Pacific partners. Read the Washington Summit Declaration issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C.: https://bit.ly/3Y2BZx6 Group photo of Belgian Delegation by Serch Carriere Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, U.S. Embassy in Belgium #StandWithUkraine #StrongerTogether #1NATO75years #WeAreNATO

This Perspective examines the contributions that Finland and Sweden can make to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) as the newest NATO Allies, having joined in response to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It examines the path each nation took towards NATO membership, after a long history of armed neutrality and military non-alignment. It also explores the capabilities and expertise that Finland and Sweden bring to the Alliance in terms not only of their armed forces but also their approaches to innovation, security, resilience and emergency preparedness. This builds on prior RAND Europe research on opportunities to deepen cooperation in the Nordic-Baltic region and ways to enhance defence and deterrence on NATO's northern flank more broadly, including in the Arctic. https://lnkd.in/eFCUSVx6

Armenia avoids contacts with Russia at foreign, defense ministries’ level — Diplomat "We view such developments as being the result of the pressure exerted by the Western countries," Mikhail Galuzin noted MOSCOW, June 5/ Armenia has ceased showing its interest in maintaining contacts with Russia at the level of the Foreign and Defense Ministries, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told TASS on Wednesday. "There have been no [bilateral] meetings of the foreign ministers since November 2023," Galuzin said in an interview with TASS. " "Our partners did not show any interest in our proposal to work out and conclude a plan of another stage of inter-departmental consultations," he continued. "It is not our fault that there has been a noticeable decline in the dynamics of bilateral contacts in the sphere of defense. The military and technical cooperation is also on the decline." "We view such developments as being the result of the pressure exerted by the Western countries [on Armenia] that are seeking to force Yerevan into minimizing all ties with our country," the senior diplomat added. #business #finance #financialservices

For Sweden, a nation that had adhered to military neutrality for more than two centuries, the decision to pursue NATO membership in 2022 signified a historic departure. This shift in position, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, indicates a re-evaluation of Sweden's security priorities and a willingness to actively engage in Euro-Atlantic security. Read more #ETInsights #NATO #Russia #Ukraine #Sweden #EuroAtlantic #Historic Queenie Nair

SWEDEN´S NATO ACCESSION IN CHINESE MEDIA In Chinese state media, #Sweden’s recent #NATO #accession is discussed with a negative overtone based on general sentiments towards the military bloc. 🇨🇳🗞️ 🇺🇸⚡️ Unsurprisingly, Russian state-promoted narratives on NATO’s purpose to maintain US hegemony and seek confrontation are widely reproduced. 🇸🇪🙅 Meanwhile, NATO-critical voices from Sweden itself are also amplified to depict the accession as unpopular among the majority of the country’s population. 🇪🇺🪖 Overall, Chinese state media intends to convince its readers that Europe will become less safe due to NATO’s expansion. Article by Sebestyén Hompot   Article available here: https://lnkd.in/e3Uzbjwj

#sweden #natoexpansion #china #media How did China's state media react to NATO's latest expansion in Northern Europe? Check my latest article to find out more👇👇

After two centuries of neutrality and two years of diplomatic efforts, Sweden is set to officially join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as its 32nd member on March 7, 2024. Both the White House and the Swedish government confirmed this decision, emphasizing Sweden's strong democracy, capable military, and shared values with NATO. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will deposit the formal documentation in a ceremony with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, marking Sweden's immediate accession to the alliance. The move is seen as enhancing the security of the United States and its allies, with the Swedish flag expected to be raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday. Sweden's decision to join NATO comes after a historic period of non-alignment spanning two centuries. Despite being militarily connected with the US and European Union, Sweden has remained neutral since the Napoleonic conflicts of the early 19th century, avoiding involvement in both world wars. The shift towards NATO membership was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While Finland, Sweden's Nordic neighbour, was welcomed into NATO in 2023, Sweden faced diplomatic hurdles, including disputes with Turkey over freedom of expression and objections from Hungary, complicating its accession. As Sweden becomes a NATO member, it will play a crucial role in linking the Atlantic and Baltic states. Currently participating in NATO's Nordic Response Exercise, Sweden's advanced military capabilities, including submarines and Gripen fighter jets, position it strategically within the alliance. Despite some concerns among the Swedish public about sacrifices made for NATO membership, a majority believes it will enhance the country's security. Meanwhile, Russia has announced plans for unspecified military countermeasures in response to Sweden's NATO accession, raising tensions in the region. Source: Reuters, dpa, AFP Assessment This change it is highly likely that this will increase NATO's security and cause significant strategic issues for Russia. In particular the Baltic Sea is now NATO's. Follow us to join the intelligence community! #russia #nato #sweden #security #europe