Latvia's request for the NATO strategic concept

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, the military brass of NATO and its member states are rushing to draft the alliance's new strategic concept, to be approved in Madrid at the end of June. The thoughts of countries and leaders are changing almost daily in important aspects, but the common understanding is that Russia can no longer be seen as a friend and good ally of NATO. Latvia demands more!

Neatkarīgā has already reported that "On paper, Russia is still a NATO ally." Even after Russia's first invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea in 2014, the most important document regulating and justifying NATO's actions in a given period, the NATO strategic concept, was not rewritten. The current concept states that "NATO-Russia cooperation is of strategic importance as it contributes to creating a common space of peace, stability and security. NATO poses no threat to Russia. On the contrary: we want to see a true strategic partnership between NATO and Russia, and we will act accordingly, with the expectation of reciprocity from Russia". It is precisely because of this and other similar sentences that there is a certain distrust in the countries of the Eastern flank of the Alliance of NATO's promises and that more and more assurances and proof are being demanded of their readiness to comply with Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, which symbolically states that it is one for all and all for one. After all, NATO is not helping Ukraine, and it is not going to help Ukraine. On paper it's "all for one", but not so much for Germany and Hungary, for example. It is true that Ukraine is not a NATO member, but it is, as the alliance's chief spokesman, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, puts it, "a close NATO partner". And therein lies the absurdity, because according to the current NATO strategic concept, Russia is also a close or desirable partner. This is in no way consistent with geopolitical reality or with the interests of NATO's eastern flank. That is why it is so important to adopt a new strategic concept for NATO, giving the Russian Federation the objective role of the enemy. And then subordinating the defense plans of the NATO countries to the truth enshrined in this concept.

Latvia's interests in the NATO concept

The Ministry of Defense explained to Neatkarīgā what exactly are the interests of the Republic of Latvia with regard to the content of the new NATO strategic concept:

1) Fundamentally improved NATO deterrence and defense in all areas, from resilience to nuclear policy.

In the view of the Ministry of Defense, the current NATO strategic concept is inadequate for the current security environment and for addressing future threats. Improving NATO's ability to provide collective defense requires fundamental improvements in NATO's deterrence and defense in all areas, strengthening the military defense of NATO frontline countries and increasing defense spending by all Member States.

2) Changing NATO's approach from forward deterrence to forward defense.

It is in Latvia's interest to make clear in the strategic concept that deterring Russia requires a change in NATO's strategic philosophy. NATO's collective defense must move away from an approach based on a minimal military presence in frontline states, which would be supported by reinforcements sent in later in the event of an attack, to a permanent, robust forward defense, which in the event of an invasion would be capable of a sustained, large-scale, full-spectrum defense from minute one, regardless of how quickly the first reinforcements arrive.

3) Recognition of security reality and Russia as a long-term threat. We see no point in unilateral compliance with the NATO-Russia Council Founding Act or unilateral arms control measures if our self-defense is being limited.

Any formulation describing Russia as a partner or a friend on the part of the NATO countries is unacceptable.

Russia is a long-term threat: the regime has unchanging superpower ambitions and a constant need to maintain domestic political stability. Both of these factors motivate the Russian leadership to seek external enemies and to seek to limit the political independence and economic development of neighboring countries through threats or overt use of military force."

Latvia's interests at the Madrid Summit

NATO's strategic concept is the grand framework that will determine the Alliance's future mission, principles, values and actions. But against the backdrop of the ongoing war, there are also a number of immediate issues to be addressed. And this is the request prepared by the Latvian defense industry for the Madrid Summit:

"1) A decision on the establishment of combat-capable divisions in each Baltic country with combat support units;

2) Greater ambition for the presence of allied forces - from the battalion level (as currently in the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Groups) to the brigade level;

3) The decision to establish war material stocks in the Baltic States.

A larger NATO-allied force presence in each of the Baltic States is needed, at a minimum increasing from a battalion-level unit, as is currently the case, to a brigade-sized unit reinforced with air and missile defense systems and other capabilities that are critically lacking in the region. NATO members must continue to invest in defense. The Madrid NATO Summit will be an important moment to address these long-standing challenges, and the overall success will depend on the national political commitment of the Member States themselves." This is according to the Ministry of Defense. The political commitment and understanding of individual countries of the Russian Federation as a common source of threat to the Alliance is already reflected in concrete actions on Latvian soil. On April 26, soldiers from the 1st Brigade of the Royal Danish Armed Forces arrived in Latvia, demonstrating Denmark's commitment to contribute to the defense of NATO's Eastern flank. The Danish Parliament has authorized the deployment of 1000 Danish soldiers to Latvia. They will be part of our Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

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