Small States in a Transforming World: The Baltic Response to the War in Ukraine

The vulnerability of small states is shaped by the international security environment and is an important factor in determining their security policy and strategy. Depending on the historical contexts and limitations in terms of perceptions and capabilities, small states craft their security policies and strategies. The Baltic States face security challenges that primarily emanate from Russia’s dominance in the region and its assertions in pursuit of its ‘Near Abroad’ policy. To deal with the emerging insecurities, the Baltic states have employed different tools and strategies that range from seeking ‘strategic shelters’ to strengthening their own national defence capabilities. Increasing the resilience of their societies have also been a part of the endeavour. Though the Atlantic Alliance remains the main Baltic defence security strategy, other policy strategies such as regional cooperation and bilateral defence cooperation are equally important. This paper will focus on what being ‘small’ means in the context of international security and will highlight some of the security strategies adopted by the Baltic states to secure themselves in the dramatically changing global security environment, post-Russia’s war in Ukraine.