Several EU Countries Label Russia as an "Immediate and Long-Term Security Threat"

"Russia poses the most significant, immediate, and long-term threat to our security, peace, and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region," stated the joint declaration adopted today by Sweden, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Bulgaria.

"Russia's strategic objectives remain unchanged—creating a buffer zone that stretches from the Arctic region through the Baltic and Black Seas to the Mediterranean Sea. The eastern flank of the European Union and NATO is on the front line of this threat, but it affects the entire European continent and necessitates immediate and coordinated action," the joint declaration emphasized.

According to the statement from the eight EU countries, they are actively implementing the "historic decisions" made at the meetings of the European Council in March, June, and October, as well as at the NATO summit in The Hague, aimed at strengthening Euro-Atlantic deterrence and defense, including commitments to raise defense expenditures to 5% of GDP and build capabilities.

"We welcome the 'Defence Preparedness Roadmap for Europe 2030' and initiatives for enhancing defense preparedness in Europe, particularly through the 'Eastern Flank Monitoring' program. The consistent reinforcement of the eastern flank requires robust capabilities across all domains—land, air, maritime, cyber and space— from north to south," the document specifically stated.