Security · July 2026

Estonia on July 1 moved to allow citizens of NATO countries to serve in national defense roles, expanding eligibility for its security forces. The decision comes as NATO allies adjust to a shifting security landscape in Europe, with several nations taking steps to bolster their defense postures. A NATO source said Europeans will fill almost all gaps left by the US in the alliance's defense plans. Poland canceled all MiG-29 deliveries to Ukraine after a reported snub over UAV technology, while Russia assessed the scale of NATO drills near its borders. Neighbors defied Russia by accepting NATO nuclear weapons, and tracking showed Chinese investments near NATO bases. The NATO summit raised the question of whether Germany will buy weapons from Turkey, and the alliance stated it is not interested in Ukraine using its tech for terror.