Measures that would have appeared unthinkable only a few years ago are now spreading across Europe:
FINLAND (AKA Ukraine 2.0)
• Raised the military-reserve age to 65
• Building a reserve approaching one million people
• Removed the legal barrier preventing allied nuclear weapons from entering Finnish territory
• Withdrew from the treaty banning antipersonnel land mines
ESTONIA
• Declared its willingness to host NATO nuclear weapons if necessary
• Building bunkers, trenches and anti-tank barriers along its Russian border
• Participating in the new Baltic Defense Line
LATVIA
• Constructing border fortifications, barriers and military positions
• Withdrew from the treaty prohibiting antipersonnel mines
• Expanding civil-defense and national-resilience preparations
LITHUANIA
• Building fortified defensive positions near Russia and Belarus
• Stockpiling anti-tank barriers and mine capability
• Withdrew from the antipersonnel-mine treaty
POLAND
• Offered to host NATO nuclear weapons
• Pursuing an army and reserve system totaling approximately 500,000 people
• Planning to train as many as 100,000 reservists annually
• Considering military preparation for all adult men
• Building the “Eastern Shield” of fortifications, surveillance, drone defenses and potential minefields
• Withdrew from the antipersonnel-mine treaty
GERMANY
• Cataloguing subway stations, tunnels, garages and basements for use as bomb shelters
• Seeking shelter capacity for approximately one million people
• Registering and assessing young men for possible military service
• Preparing to move hundreds of thousands of NATO troops and vehicles east during a major war
SWEDEN
• Sent citizens an “In Case of Crisis or War” handbook
• Instructed families how to survive blackouts, air attacks, disrupted communications and possible occupation
DENMARK
• Expanded military conscription to women
• Increased military service from four months to eleven months
FRANCE
• Developed public-survival guidance covering emergency supplies, radio communications and radiation precautions
• Encouraging participation in military reserves and civil-defense organizations
BRITAIN
• Reviving government “War Books”
• Integrating military, civilian, industrial and utility planning
• Preparing a national home-defense exercise
• Strengthening protection of energy systems, water, communications and undersea cables
• Planning for cyberattacks, fuel shortages and supply-chain breakdowns
• Making it easier to recall former service members—potentially up to age 65
• Increasing weapons, drone and ammunition production
EUROPEAN UNION
• Advising 450 million residents to maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, medicine, cash and emergency supplies
• Building strategic reserves for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies
Nuclear weapons have not been confirmed as deployed in Finland, Estonia or Poland—but those countries have opened, or are considering opening, the door.
Europe says this is deterrence and preparedness.
Countries have simultaneously expanded conscription, recalled older soldiers, prepared bunkers, restored land mines, considering hosting nuclear weapons and teaching civilians how to survive war.