Defending Baltics 2025: War Lessons from Ukraine

Conference Program

Day One (17th)
Day Two (18th)

Day One - November 17th

08:30

Registration

09:00

Introduction of Day One

09:05

Welcome speeches

Dovilė Šakalienė

  • Minister of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania

Andrius Kubilius

  • European Commissioner for Defence and Space

09:40

Panel 1:  Discussion “Closest to the Enemy – the NATO Eastern Flank”

This session will examine the strategic importance of the Eastern Baltic Front, focusing on the countries directly bordering Russia. It will analyze the unique security challenges faced by these nations and discuss the most effective defense strategies in the event of Russian aggression. The session aims to provide actionable insights on how to enhance regional security through rapid response, military cooperation, and resilience-building measures.

General Raimundas Vaikšnoras

  • Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania

Lieutenant General Andrus Merilo

  • Chief of Defence of the Republic of Estonia

Major General Kaspars Pudāns

  • Chief of Defence of the Republic of Latvia

Moderator:

Dr. Agnia Grigas

  • Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council

10:25

COFFEE BREAK / EXPO

11:10

Presentation: “Lessons from the Black and Baltic Seas: What Have We Learned and How Can We Apply Them?”

Nick Childs

  • Senior Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security, International Institute for Strategic Studies

11:35

Panel 2: “Between the Black and Baltic Sea Region: Lessons Identified”

This session will examine the broader operational and strategic lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine and its relevance to the wider Baltic and European security environment. Discussion will cover innovative approaches to countering superior forces at sea and in the air, including the employment of drones, precision strike systems, and asymmetrical tactics. The panel will also highlight the importance of integrating multi-domain operations, leveraging international cooperation, and adapting civilian and commercial technologies for defense purposes.

Tomasz Piotrowski

  • General (ret.), former Operational Commander, Polish Armed Forces

George Barros

  • Lead Analyst (Russia & Geospatial Intelligence), Institute for the Study of War

Sandis Šrāders

  • Researcher, National Defence Academy of Latvia

Moderator:

Julius von Freytag-Loringhoven

  • Head of Baltic States, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

12:25

Presentation: “Evolving Character of War: Adapting to a World of Constant Competition”

Ryan Evans

  • Founder and CEO, “War on the Rocks”

12:45

LUNCH BREAK / EXPO

14:15

Presentation: “The Finnish Concept of Comprehensive Security”

Petteri Korvala

  • Secretary General, Security Committee of Finland

14:40

Panel 3: “Beyond the Suwałki Corridor: Maritime Lifelines for Baltic Defense”

This session will explore the critical role of maritime routes in ensuring Baltic defense, particularly in scenarios where land-based logistics through the Suwałki Gap may be compromised. It will focus on the strategic significance of naval capabilities, secure sea lines of communication, and maritime logistics in enhancing regional security. Special attention will be given to the importance of Nordic-Baltic cooperation, highlighting how joint naval efforts and integrated defense strategies can strengthen the resilience of the region. The goal is to identify key solutions for reinforcing Baltic defense, with an emphasis on maritime collaboration, rapid deployment, and shared resources across the Baltic and Nordic states.

Vice Admiral Rune Andersen

  • Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, Norwegian Armed Forces

Jacek Siewiera

  • Lieutenant Colonel (ret.), Former Head of the National Security Bureau and National Security Advisor to the President of Poland

Peter Nielsen

  • Colonel (ret.), Former Commander, NATO Force Integration Unit Lithuania

Moderator:

Dr. Aleksander Olech

  • Editor-in-Chief, Defence24.com

15:30

Presentation: “What Has Wartime Medicine in Ukraine Taught Us?”

Prof. Denys Surkov

  • Capt. (Res.) MD, PhD – TCCC Course Director, Land Force Command Training Centre of Ukraine Armed Forces

15:55

COFFEE BREAK / EXPO

16:35

Presentation: “The Role of Special Operations Forces in the War in Ukraine”

Colonel Kyrylo Burdeinyi

  • Deputy Chief of G3, Ukrainian Special Operations Command

17:00

Presentation: “A2/AD in the Baltic Sea: How to Close Access to the Region”

Tony Lawrence

  • Head of the Defence Policy and Strategy Programme, International Centre for Defence and Security

17:25

The Dual Frontier: Strengthening Europe’s Defense Industry While Empowering Ukraine

Arūnas Vinčiūnas

  • Head of Unit for Ukraine Support & Military Mobility at the European Commission Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space

17:45

Conclusions of Day One

Day Two - November 18th

09:00

Introduction of Day 2

09:05

Panel 4:  Discussion “Unmanned Systems: The Role of AI and Interoperability”

Unmanned systems are everywhere. From the frontlines in Ukraine to defense forces across Europe, thousands of drones and ground robots are deployed every day. Yet most still operate with low autonomy and heavy manual control. Operators are overloaded, training takes too long, and systems from different manufacturers rarely work together. This challenge becomes very concrete in Europe’s new “drone wall” initiative: dozens of different drones and sensors are deployed along borders, but how will they actually operate as one system if interoperability is missing? The urgency is clear. Recently Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace and forced expensive interceptions. Europe cannot afford to respond with fragmented and costly solutions. Smarter and connected systems are needed. The question for Europe is clear. How do we make these systems truly work together across nations and manufacturers? How do we ensure that software and AI become force multipliers rather than extra complexity? And what role should industry and governments play in setting the standards for interoperability?

Maurits Korthals Altes

  • CEO at Intelic

Kadi Slide

  • Director of European Engagement, Helsing

Julius Bartaševičius

  • Defence Staff, Lithuanian Armed Forces

09:55

Presentation: “European Defense: Preparing for the Unexpected”

Dr. Michael Gjerstad

  • Research Analyst, International Institute for Strategic Studies

10:20

Presentation: “Nuclear Shadows Over the Baltics: How Prepared Are We?”

Prof. Sir Lawrence Freedman

  • Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King’s College London

10:45

COFFEE BREAK / EXPO

11:30

Panel 5: “Sea Lines of Survival: Nordic-Baltic Cooperation for Future Conflicts”

This panel discussion will address the critical importance of maintaining secure sea lines of communication in the Baltic Sea for ensuring regional stability and security during times of conflict. It will explore the military and strategic requirements needed to keep the Baltic Sea open and safe for transport, trade, and military mobility. The focus will be on Nordic-Baltic cooperation, analyzing how these countries can jointly enhance their maritime capabilities to counteract potential threats from adversarial forces, especially Russia. Key topics will include the need for coordinated naval operations, port security, surveillance, and rapid response strategies. The discussion will highlight the operational challenges and the strategic importance of interoperability between Nordic and Baltic nations, aiming to build a stronger, unified maritime defense posture to protect vital sea routes during future conflicts.

Rear Admiral Giedrius Premeneckas

  • Chief of the Defence Staff, Lithuanian Armed Forces

Stylianos Tzimis

  • Maritime Hybrid Threats Senior Analyst, The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats

Marte Ziolkowski

  • Advisor, Security and Contingency Planning Department, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association

Moderator: TBA

12:20

Presentation: “From Hybrid to Kinetic Attacks. Russian Acts of Sabotage Against the West”

Giedrius Krupauskas

  • Deputy Director, State Security Department of the Republic of Lithuania

12:45

Presentation: “Russia’s War Playbook: What the Baltics Must Expect”

Jörgen Elfving

  • Former Swedish Army and General Staff Officer

13:10

Presentation: “Understanding Russian Long-Range Strike Capabilities and Implications for European Security”

Fabian Hinz

  • Research Fellow for Defence and Military Analysis, International Institute for Strategic Studies

13:30

COFFEE BREAK / EXPO

15:00

TBA

15:25

Presentation: “On the Technology Front: How Drones, AI and Innovation Are Changing the Rules of War”

Dr. Thomas Withington

  • Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute

15:50

TBA

16:10

Conclusions of Day Two

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