The event featured two insightful speakers: Tom-Jan Meeus, an experienced journalist from NRC newspaper in the Netherlands, and Vykintas Pugaciauskas, international news editor at Lithuania’s Public Broadcaster LRT. Guiding the conversation was Linas Kojala, director of Geopolitics and Security Studies Center.

Yesterday’s discussion highlighted what we might expect – and what we might not as an outcome of the Summit. Mr. Pugačiauskas warned that we should not have “unrealistic expectations”. He anticipated that most allies will demand something in return for increased defence commitments. That will be the central issue in the summit’s negotiations.

Both speakers agreed that the Alliance has clearly arrived at a turning point with the current geopolitical situation in flux. Both with the persistent Russian threat and the uncertainties within the Alliance itself since the beginning of the year. It is up to the current membership, and especially the European part of the Alliance to stand strong in their shared commitment to peace and security on the continent. Now and beyond the Summit.

As Mr. Meeus powerfully put it: “History has changed, and we have to deal with it.”