Defending Baltics 2025: War Lessons from Ukraine
Conference Program
Mistress of Ceremonies:
Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo
- Europe Correspondent, Defense News
Day One - November 17th
08:00
Registration
09:00
Introduction of Day One
09:05
Welcome speeches
Tomas Godliauskas
- Vice-minister, Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania
Andrius Kubilius
- European Commissioner for Defence and Space
09:30
Panel: Closest to the Enemy – the NATO Eastern Flank
This session will examine the strategic importance of the NATO Eastern Flank, 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 OPENING
11:10
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: 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
Major Andrii Yusov
- Press Representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Sandis Šrāders
- Director for Defence Technology and Innovations, Riga Technical University
Moderator:
Julius von Freytag-Loringhoven
- Head of Baltic States, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom
12:25
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
The Finnish Concept of Comprehensive Security
Petteri Korvala
- Secretary General, Security Committee of Finland
14:40
Panel: 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
Capt. (N) Bartłomiej Pączek, Ph.D. Hab., PNA Prof.
- Vice-Rector for Science at Polish Naval Academy
Peter Nielsen
- Colonel (ret.), Former Commander, NATO Force Integration Unit Lithuania
Moderator:
Dr. Aleksander Olech
- Editor-in-Chief, Defence24.com
15:30
What Has Wartime Medicine in Ukraine Taught Us?
Dr. Denys Surkov
- Medical Course Director for TCCC, Tactical Medicine School, 184th Training Centre, Land Force Academy of Ukraine Armed Forces
FIRESIDE DISCUSSION:
MERGING COMBAT EXPERIENCE WITH EUROPEAN TECH
14:15, Monday, 17th November “Valdovo barokinė biblioteka” (The Ruler’s Baroque Library)
Moderator:
Ernestas Žvaigždinas
Co-Founder and CEO of Broswarm
Speakers:
Captain Oleksandr Yabchanka
Commander of the Robotic Systems Service of the ‘Da Vinci Wolves’ Battalion, 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade
Junior lieutenant Maksymilian Boiko
Commander, Fixed-Wing Strike UAV Platoon (Small)
Unmanned Systems Battalion “Kondor”
Private Denys Andrushchenko
Intelligence Analyst
Unmanned Systems Battalion “Kondor”
Ms. Yuliya Hvozdovych
Director of the Defence Robotics UA Foundation
Mr. Donatas Sirgedas
Company Executive
Quantum Systems Lithuania & Estonia
Mr. Andrii Khorsev
Founder of Ukrainian UGV manufacturing company “South Park”
14:15
The Finnish Concept of Comprehensive Security
Petteri Korvala
- Secretary General, Security Committee of Finland
14:40
Panel: 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
Capt. (N) Bartłomiej Pączek, Ph.D. Hab., PNA Prof.
- Vice-Rector for Science at Polish Naval Academy
Peter Nielsen
- Colonel (ret.), Former Commander, NATO Force Integration Unit Lithuania
Moderator:
Dr. Aleksander Olech
- Editor-in-Chief, Defence24.com
15:30
What Has Wartime Medicine in Ukraine Taught Us?
Dr. Denys Surkov
- Medical Course Director for TCCC, Tactical Medicine School, 184th Training Centre, Land Force Academy of Ukraine Armed Forces
14:30
MERGING COMBAT EXPERIENCE WITH EUROPEAN TECH
Moderator:
Ernestas Žvaigždinas
Co-Founder and CEO of Broswarm
Speakers:
Captain Oleksandr Yabchanka
Commander of the Robotic Systems Service of the ‘Da Vinci Wolves’ Battalion, 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade
Junior lieutenant Maksymilian Boiko
Commander, Fixed-Wing Strike UAV Platoon (Small)
Unmanned Systems Battalion “Kondor”
Private Denys Andrushchenko
Intelligence Analyst
Unmanned Systems Battalion “Kondor”
Ms. Yuliya Hvozdovych
Director of the Defence Robotics UA Foundation
Mr. Donatas Sirgedas
Company Executive
Quantum Systems Lithuania & Estonia
Mr. Andrii Khorsev
Founder of Ukrainian UGV manufacturing company “South Park”
15:55
COFFEE BREAK / EXPO
16:35
The Role of Special Operations Forces in the War in Ukraine
Colonel Kyrylo Burdeinyi
- Deputy Chief of G3, Ukrainian Special Operations Command
17:00
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 Two
09:05
Panel: Unmanned Systems: The Role of AI and Interoperability
This session will analyze the growing challenge of interoperability in Europe’s unmanned systems – a problem made urgent by initiatives such as the “drone wall” and recent airspace violations. Despite rapid deployment of drones and ground robots, low autonomy and limited cross-platform compatibility continue to hinder effectiveness. The discussion will focus on how Europe can enable smarter, connected systems through common standards, AI integration, and closer cooperation between industry and governments.
Maurits Korthals Altes
- CEO at Intelic
Kadi Silde
- Director of European Engagement, Helsing
Julius Bartaševičius
- Defence Staff, Lithuanian Armed Forces
Moderator:
Julian Röpcke
- Senior Political Editor, BILD
09:55
Russian Institutional Learning & Adaptation
Dr. Michael Gjerstad
- Research Analyst, International Institute for Strategic Studies
10:20
Nuclear Shadows Over the Baltics: How Prepared Are We?
Prof. Sir Lawrence Freedman
- Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King’s College London
10:45
The Invisible Drone War: The Electromagnetic Spectrum and its Centrality to the Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Battle
Dr. Thomas Withington
- Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute
11:10
COFFEE BREAK / EXPO
12:00
Panel: 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:
Dr. Neringa Bladaitė
- Lecturer at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University
12:50
From Hybrid to Kinetic Attacks. Russian Acts of Sabotage Against the West
Giedrius Krupauskas
- Deputy Director, State Security Department of the Republic of Lithuania
13:15
Defence in the Age of Standoff Warfare. Understanding and Countering Russia’s Deep Strike Threat
Fabian Hinz
- Research Fellow for Defence and Military Analysis, International Institute for Strategic Studies
13:40
Conclusions of Day Two
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Sponsors
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