Last week, Professor Dr. Iztok Prezelj, President of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia, and Dr. Teodora Tea Ristevska Skušek, member of the Council, participated in the Warsaw Security Forum 2025 (WSF), held on 29–30 October 2025. The Forum is one of Europe’s leading platforms for strategic dialogue on defence and security, this year convened under the overarching theme #DividedWeFall.
Founded in 2014, in the aftermath of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, the Forum emerged from the recognition that the defence and deterrence concerns of Central and Eastern European countries had for too long been overlooked by the broader Euro-Atlantic community. Guided by the Roman proverb Si vis pacem, para bellum – “If you want peace, prepare for war” – it was established as a platform to strengthen the ability to deter aggression and defend shared values.
Over the past decade, the Warsaw Security Forum has evolved into one of the largest international security events in Europe, bringing together more than 2,500 participants from over 90 countries, including heads of state, ministers, military commanders, policymakers, experts, and representatives of industry and academia. Each year, participants meet to coordinate strategies, deepen interoperability, and reinforce the political will for credible deterrence across the Euro-Atlantic area.
For the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia, participation in the Forum provided an important opportunity to strengthen ties with decision-makers, experts, and partners from across Europe and beyond, as well as to reinforce its commitment to Euro-Atlantic cooperation, resilience, and knowledge exchange in the field of security and defence.
A key takeaway from this year’s Forum was that unity and preparedness remain Europe’s greatest strengths. To effectively respond to evolving hybrid and conventional threats, Europe must act swiftly and decisively. The discussions underscored the need for deeper cooperation among allies and greater investment in innovation, strategic foresight, and societal resilience.
Further insights and findings from this year’s event are available in the Warsaw Security Forum Annual Report 2025: “Winning the War Before the War – A Blueprint for Europe”, which comprehensively addresses the costs of inaction and calls for stronger European engagement amid Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
Endorsed by numerous distinguished members of the WSF community, the report is structured around four key policy areas: Foreign Policy, Defence, Energy and Climate, and Democratic Security. Each chapter offers practical guidance for policymakers, setting strategic objectives and recommendations for the road ahead. The report emphasises that, as the United States gradually redefines its global role, Europe must be prepared to take greater responsibility for its own security and stability. Its core argument is that Western democracies still possess the tools to “win the war before the war” – through timely action, strategic planning, and collective resolve.
The 2025 Forum and its accompanying report remind us that peace is never self-sustaining, and that resilience requires a whole-of-society and cross-sector approach. The Forum’s central message, echoing the enduring Polish motto “For Your Freedom and Ours,” remains clear: Europe cannot afford to hesitate. Unity is no longer just a value – it is a condition of survival.
Author: Matic Kosirnik
