A controversial US meeting Poland excluding UK France Baltic NATO session initiated by US Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby has generated significant concern among defense experts. Colby met in Poland with representatives from five selected European nations—Sweden, Finland, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands—a formation known as the Bergen Group. However, the decision to exclude key allies, including the United Kingdom, France, and the Baltic states, triggered intense warnings regarding internal alliance cohesion.
The meeting forms part of discussions regarding NATO 3.0, a framework envisioned by Washington where European nations assume primary responsibility for conventional defense. Consequently, the United States plans to reduce its traditional presence and withdraw specific strategic assets, including bombers, submarines, and specialized personnel.
While NATO officials described the meeting as a routine sub-group gathering, geopolitical analysts argue that selecting specific allies creates harmful divisions. Experts caution that favoring certain members over others undermines the collective defense principle and signals preferential security commitments from Washington.
The absence of the Baltic nations Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania has drawn particular scrutiny due to their substantial defense spending and proximity to Russia. The exclusion follows reports that Colby advised Baltic officials to adopt a less confrontational stance regarding Russian actions.
Meanwhile, Baltic nations continue to experience severe hybrid threats, including airspace violations, arson, and drone incursions. Lithuania recently extended an invitation to Colby to observe these ongoing border incursions directly. Ultimately, European defense leaders emphasize that maintaining unified alliance responses remains essential for collective security.
Reference
Euronews. (2026, October 5). US meeting in Poland, excluding France, UK, and Baltic states, risks dividing NATO. Euronews. https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/05/us-meeting-in-poland-excluding-france-uk-baltic-risks-dividing-nato