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LMC 2024: Let Us Not Despair, But Act

What has NATO Gained from Enlargement?

While a few years ago French President Macron declared NATO brain dead, the war in Ukraine has forced the Alliance to refocus on collective defence.  NATO’s 75th anniversary also marks 25 years since its first post-Cold War enlargement. In the context of the on-going Russian aggression in Ukraine and deteriorating global security environment, NATO enlargement has made a major contribution to European security. For Allies on the eastern flank membership was a way out of the grey zone. The recent accession of Finland and Sweden has added two highly capable militaries to the Alliance. What has NATO gained from enlargement? How well prepared is NATO to face renewed threats in Europe and around the globe?

Speakers

Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Toomas Hendrik Ilves

President of Estonia (2006–2016)

Kurt Volker

Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis

Moderator

Slyvie Kaufman
Sylvie Kauffmann

Editorial Director and Foreign Affairs Columnist at Le Monde