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BRUNSSUM, The Netherlands – On the 6^th and 7^th of March, Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Major General Randolph J. Staudenraus, US Air Force, participated in the 2025 annual Conference on Russia in Tartu, Estonia.

The Baltic Defence College, established twenty-six years ago, has become a hub of knowledge for senior officers and future leaders of the Baltic States and the wider region.

The 11^th iteration of the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) conference brought together members of the Baltic and Allied military community, international institutions, governments, academia, and the private sector to discuss the most relevant issues surrounding Russia, affecting the wider region and shaping global challenges since 2015.

This year’s Conference on Russia focused on the topic of ‘Strategic Pathways to Ending The Russo-Ukrainian War’, including subtopics like Countering Russian Aggression, Propaganda and Informational Warfare, and implications and features of a war economy.

At the conference, JFCBS Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Maj Gen Staudenraus addressed the audience on the panel on ‘NATO Perspectives on Countering Russian Aggression’, sharing the Joint Force Command Brunssum’s increasing role in defence and deterrence of the Baltic Sea region, national coordination, and pivotal impacts of the DDA Concept.

Maj Gen Staudenraus noted the importance of peacetime vigilance activities including BALTIC SENTRY 2025, where JFCBS remains in close coordination with the Nations, and stated: “Baltic Sentry progress has effectively enabled pre-emptive instead of reactive measures to counter Russian hybrid threats and disruptive activities. It demonstrates an amazing feat of rapid communications, operations, and deterrence by persistent presence.”

The Baltic Defence College, established twenty-six years ago, has become a hub of knowledge for senior officers and future leaders of the Baltic States and the wider region. The annual Russia Conference has established a strong reputation for fostering understanding of Russia and the NATO policies to promote peace, safety and security for Allies and Partners in the Baltic Sea Region.