U.S. European Command
February 6, 2023

USEUCOM Hosts High-Level European Strategy Conference

More than 600 military and civilian leaders from 19 nations across Europe participated in U.S. European Command’s European Strategy Conference and Workshop (ESCW) to engage on a full spectrum of security issues alongside strategic partners in Ramstein, Germany, Jan. 30-Feb. 3.

The conference’s keynote speaker, U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, USEUCOM commander and [NATO] Supreme Allied Commander Europe, emphasized the importance of leveraging this forum as an opportunity for leaders to align and synchronize collective efforts to advance the convergence of USEUCOM priorities and planning efforts with those of NATO.

[T]his year’s ESCW was held against the backdrop of Russia’s continued brutal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and China’s rising influence across the European theater.

“The bonds between and among our Allies and partners in the NATO Alliance have never been so strong,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, USEUCOM’s director for strategy, plans and policy and organizer of this year’s ESCW. “The conflict in Ukraine has only served to bolster our working relationships…in the Euro-Atlantic.”

The event also included senior U.S. military and diplomatic officials Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, and Laura Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia.

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Discussions throughout the weeklong event centered around deterrence and defense of the Euro-Atlantic, NATO in the 21st century, and strategic planning for the year ahead.