Opening remarks

Dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the media: welcome to NATO Headquarters!

Thank you for being here.

We meet today for the spring session of the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence format.

Allow me to start by welcoming, for their first attendance in this Committee, the Chief of Defence of Portugal, General João CARTAXO ALVES; and the Chief of Defence of Slovakia, Lieutenant General Miroslav LORINC.

The Alliance remains vigilant 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on all fronts. From the East, to South, to the High North. Including the Arctic.

Since we last met in this format, in January, new crises arose. Existing crises have deepened. And, the security environment has become even more demanding.

Russia's war against Ukraine is now fully into its fifth year. I was in Ukraine three weeks ago. And I can confirm: This war remains brutal, consequential. And directly relevant to our security.

At the same time, instability and violence persist across NATO's Southern neighbourhood. Trade routes remain under pressure. Energy flows remain exposed. Hybrid threats continue, with cyber-attacks, sabotage, disinformation, and malicious use of new technologies.

So, this is a moment for clarity, discipline, and action.

We have been tested, recently. And we have demonstrated that we can defend ourselves. Our deterrence and readiness are stronger. Our awareness is sharper.

And with last summer's The Hague Summit commitment on defence investment, we are on the right track. But our follow through and delivery is essential. That is why we are here.

Today we discuss posture, plans, capabilities, innovation, and adaptation. We do this as NATO Chiefs of Defence. We will hear from our military counterparts in Ukraine and the European Union. And we will engage with the NATO Secretary General on the links between our work and the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara.

Before we begin, we pause to honour those who are no longer with us, the fallen servicemen and servicewoman-those who gave their lives in the line of duty to protect our future and peace.

Please, let's stand....

Dear colleagues,

I have been sitting in this chair now for over a year, and I cannot help but reflect on how time is a cross-cutting dimension of competition, crisis, and conflict.

In warfare, deterrence, and defence, the ability to understand, decide, and act faster increasingly shapes outcomes.

A sailor repairs the sails when the sea is calm. But we no longer have calm seas. We are already in the storm. So, our task is not simply to move faster, but to make better decisions while maintaining coherence, cohesion, and strategic direction.

Without further ado, I look forward for a very productive meeting, today. There will be a Press Conference this afternoon. But for now, before we begin the first session, let's allow the media to leave the room.

Thank you.