On 29 September 2025, NATO Defense College students and leadership were welcomed by Director General of International Military Staff (DGIMS) Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas.
At NATO Headquarters, Senior Course and Regional Cooperation Course participants spent half a day analysing and discussing NATO military capabilities, the defence industry, military cooperation, the defence planning process, and the future aspects of the Alliance.
Professional briefers from the NATO International Staff and International Military Staff brought wide and strategic perspectives for the participants. Historical and recent examples were discussed to give ideas to the decisions of the officers and civilians in their future positions.
"The example of Ukraine shows us that peace has a huge cost. For example, during the Cold War, Allies regularly had to spend more than 3% of GDP to ensure the safety and defence of their nations. This year Allies agreed to invest 5% by 2035." - said DGIMS Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas.
He emphasised that NATO support to Ukraine remains strong, because NATO Allies have provided Ukraine with unprecedented 50 billion euros in security assistance. DGIMS stressed that NATO response to various recent hybrid threats and long-lasting terrorism threats will always be proportionate and vigilant.
"I can say that Alliance will react without delay. The more threats are created to NATO, the more NATO they will get. We will be vigilant and firm in our response" - DGIMS concluded.
The Director General is the head the International Military Staff (IMS). The IMS consists of a staff of approximately 500 military and civilian personnel from NATO member countries, working at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The DGIMS is responsible to the Military Committee for the efficient and effective functioning of the IMS. The position is empowered to act on behalf of the Military Committee on routine matters, and, in case of urgency, to take executive action on its behalf within its established policies.
