From Supporting Ukraine to Self-Defense: NATO Integrates Ukrainian Combat Experience into Plans for Potential Conflict with Russia

According to sources cited by Politico, multiple NATO member states plan to hold negotiations by late October to assess military equipment requirements should a conflict erupt with Russia.

Key topics expected to be discussed include:

-- The first and most critical issue: determining the scale of resources each member state can contribute;

-- The second: addressing gaps left by U.S. military assistance;

-- The third: strengthening focus on the alliance’s southern and southeastern flanks;

-- Subsequent discussions will center on expanding drone production capacity;

-- The final agenda item is expected to be deepening cooperation with Ukraine.

Amid growing divisions between the United States and Europe over Russia policy, NATO is now directly translating “combat experience from the Ukrainian battlefield” into readiness plans for potential confrontation with Russia. Each of these five issues reflects complex, real-world pressures:

1. Resource Scale: Europe Still Reckoning with Post-Cold War Deficiencies

NATO’s July summit in Ankara called for member states to dedicate 3.5% of GDP to core defense by 2035. However, only a small number are projected to meet this target by 2026. This round of talks is not merely rhetorical—it involves converting political commitments into tangible assets: air defense systems, ammunition, drones, spare parts, and industrial capacity.

2. Bridging the Gap Left by U.S. Aid: Europe Forced to Step In

Recent shifts in U.S. policy—on sanctions, intelligence sharing, and Starlink services—have created instability in Ukraine’s early warning capabilities. With European nations still committed to sustaining annual aid packages worth around €70 billion, they must simultaneously address their own inventory replenishment needs.

3. Southern and Southeastern Flanks: Risks Spreading Beyond the Eastern Front

Poland, Baltic states, Finland, Romania, and other countries along these axes have experienced frequent incidents involving cross-border drones, reconnaissance probes, and hybrid threats. While NATO previously focused more on the eastern flank, pressure on air defense, anti-drone systems, and maritime chokepoint protection is now intensifying across the south and southeast.

4. Drone Production Capacity: From Aiding Ukraine to Ensuring European Security

Ukraine’s FPV drone production has expanded significantly. Meanwhile, the UK, Norway, Germany, Estonia, and others are advancing joint production initiatives with Kyiv. The current NATO discussion on scaling up drone output is not solely about supporting Ukraine—it aims to build a low-cost, high-consumption unmanned warfare system for European self-defense.

5. Deepening Cooperation with Ukraine: Operational Experience Institutionalized

Ukraine has already signed drone cooperation agreements with the EU and several individual nations, transforming battlefield-tested practices into industrial capabilities within Europe’s defense ecosystem. If these talks proceed, Ukraine may become increasingly embedded in NATO’s air defense networks, unmanned systems integration, and munitions supply chains.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1879471330503691/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.