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Press conference
by Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee
14 May 2025
3 MIN READ
(As delivered)
Good afternoon.
Thank you for being here, and thank you for waiting, as this afternoon has been the longest one of my life.
This is my first press conference as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and I’m pleased it comes at the close of such a substantial and forward-looking session with the Chiefs of Defence.
After nearly four months in this tenure, I can confidently say: I have found a NATO healthy and stronger.
Stronger in purpose, in coordination, and in resolve.
That strength is built on shared responsibility and, frankly, a renewed sense of urgency.
The wake-up calls from the Ukraine war, and the one from the US administration, that asked all of us to shoulder more of the burden, among the signals that have not gone unanswered.
Today, we see a NATO that is more pro-active, more focused, and more committed to deterrence and collective defence.
A tight, solid Alliance where the responsibilities must and will be shared in a fairer way, for a stronger approach to security, stability and peace.
As we gather in the context of a world full of uncertainties, it’s also important to remember that focusing too much on uncertainty can sometimes become an excuse for inaction.
Yes, we are living through a time of shifting geopolitics, where new challenges seem to appear almost daily.
But there are plenty of certainties in global security that we cannot ignore.
On top of the list: the aggressive expansionism of Russia, the destabilising presence of China in strategic areas, terrorism, and the threat of cyberattacks. Without forgetting the competition in the Arctic and Space.
These are clear and present dangers and challenges.
We need to ensure that our focus on the unknown doesn’t blind us to the known threats.
Our adversaries are not standing still, and they could very well attempt to exploit what might be perceived as weakness, but is actually one of our core strengths, the array of perspectives that we bring to our discusssions.
Our different point views must remain a source of resilience, never a vulnerability to exploit.
This is why – as I said at the beginning of my mandate - my priority is to work constantly to foster cohesion and resilience.
This Military Committee meeting was a vivid demonstration of NATO’s unity and our commitment in tackling the challenges of today’s security environment.
Let me share a few highlights:
- Strengthening Collective Defence.
We reviewed the implementation of the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area – the so-called DDA- Family of Plans. These are not just strategies on paper, but the spine of NATO, sharpening our readiness to respond to any threat, in any domain or dimension.
- Warfighting Transformation.
With input from Allied Command Transformation, we advanced discussions on multi-domain operations, digitalisation, and the kind of command and control that will ensure we fight, and win, as one.
- Support to Ukraine.
We reaffirmed that supporting Ukraine is a strategic necessity, beside a moral duty. Helping Ukraine prevail is an investment in our own security, and in the rules-based international order.
Finally, I want to say that this meeting was not just about NATO military members. It was about our broader security ecosystem.
Tomorrow, the Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Antalya will further advance discussions about NATO’s priorities, a clear sign that the Alliance is moving together, determined as ever.
And at the same time, the EU Military Committee will take place- an excellent example of how NATO and the EU are working side by side, timely, ensuring there is no discontinuity nor overlap or competition in our approach to security.
I’m proud of the work done, and grateful to all the Chiefs of Defence who contributed, especially those who travelled long distances to be with us today.
I look forward to taking your questions.
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