Deterrence or dialogue? NATO, Ukraine, and the Russian threat

In June, the leaders of NATO will gather in The Hague to debate the future of the Alliance. Looking ahead to this pivotal summit, the Clingendael Institute and GA! Think Tank invite you to join a public discussion between leading experts and students on NATO’s evolving relationship with Ukraine and Russia.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, supporting Kyiv has been one of NATO’s central strategic priorities. At the same time, deterring Russian aggression – a cornerstone of NATO’s mission since its foundation in 1949 – has taken on renewed urgency. At the latest NATO Summit in Washington, allies reiterated that Russia remains the most significant and a direct threat to their security. In April 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that the Alliance considers Russia to be a long-term threat.

Yet, the Alliance has long been divided over how to deal with Russia. What threat does the Russian Federation really pose to NATO? How should the Alliance respond? Is Ukrainian perspective on membership of the Alliance realistic? And how will NATO’s choices shape its long-term relationship with Russia?

These questions demand careful reflection. Join us on June 12 at de Zalen van Zeven in Utrecht for a public discussion on NATO relations with Ukraine and Russia.

Programme

19.30 | Doors open

20.00 – 21.30  | Panel discussion and Q&A, with:

• Elizaveta Gaufman, Assistant Professor of Russian Discourse and Politics, University of Groningen
• Bob Deen, Head of Security Unit and Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute
• Han Bouwmeester, Full Professor of Operational Military Studies, Netherlands Defence Academy
• Hubert Smeets, journalist and co-founder, Platform RAAM
• Niels Drost (moderator), Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute

21.30 – 22.30  | Networking drinks

Register here.

This public event is part of a series of thematic sessions ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague on 24-25 June 2025.