Nato allies should stop patronising the Baltic states — and start listening to them
From Die Welt's infamous "Ernstfall" podcast to Carlo Masala's best-selling "If Russia Wins", Western commentary too often depicts the Baltic states in clichés: "Tiny", "ex-Soviet republics", helpless and hapless victims of Russia's next onslaught.
This is as patronising as it is groundless. In fact, the Baltic states are vigilant and resilient, well-armed, cohesive and ready to fight.
In short, they have agency. And that should be no secret.
At this panel, Latvian foreign minister Baiba Braže, Lithuania's ambassador to NATO Darius Jauniškis and the under-secretary for political affairs at Estonia's foreign ministry, Martin Roger, join renowned regional security expert Edward Lucas to examine the western commentariat's myth-making and scaremongering , and to argue for a different approach. Instead of patronising the Baltic states, their NATO and EU allies should learn from them.
Latvian foreign minister
From 2020 to 2023, Baiba Braže was NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, devising and overseeing strategic communications activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands. From 2016 to 2020, she was Latvia's ambassador to the UK, and from 2003 to 2008, ambassador to the Netherlands.
Lithuanian Ambassador to NATO
Permanent Representative to NATO since April 2025. Director General of the State Security Department 2015 - 2025. Formerly with Lithuanian special forces, (commander 2006-2008).
Under-secretary for Political Affairs, Estonian Foreign Ministry
Under-secretary for political affairs (political director) at Estonia's foreign ministry, Martin Roger is a former ambassador to Poland and has held other senior roles in Tallinn, including Director General for NATO and Transatlantic Relations.
Founder-Director, Baltic International Security Centre
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