Nunn and Breedlove Support Statement by the Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group (EASLG)

Posted February 20, 2020

Nunn and Breedlove Support Twelve Steps Toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region

One of the pressing issues facing European nations is how to react to and engage with Russia on the current security situation in the former Soviet Union states. In response to these challenges and pressing issues, the Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group (EASLG) proposed essential steps to be taken in regard to safeguarding humanitarian, economic, and political concerns in the Euro-Atlantic region. This past week Nunn School distinguished professors of the practice former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and General (Ret.) Philip Breedlove met at the EASLG to discuss these pressing issues. At the conclusion, both Senator Nunn and General Breedlove signed their support for Twelve Steps Taken Toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region.

These points were to be later presented at the largest conference on international security in the world, the Munich Security Conference. Nations around the world look to this conference to see the future of vital interests globally. The conference has become the most important forum for security challenges which take place now and for the future. 

In the EASLG statement, the signatories outline 12 steps toward a more secure Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic region - “Action to help those in harm’s way and to establish a foundation that resolves the conflict must be taken now to address urgent security, humanitarian, economic, and political concerns.” These actions involve restoring the JCCC, greater military-to-military crisis management dialogue, greater access/freedom of movement, implement humanitarian initiatives including missing persons, reconstructing the Donbas, greater free trade with a better roadmap for sanctions, addressing radiological hazards, increasing mutual security apparatuses, and to speak about new national dialogues of identity. These practical and concrete steps can be taken now to address the urgent security, humanitarian, economic, and political concerns. 

Both Distinguished Professors Nunn and Breedlove have extensive knowledge in European Security issues. Nunn, co-convener of the Statement, is known for his work on the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which focused on providing aid and assistance to former Soviet Republics for securing and destroying extra nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. This program deactivated over 7,500 nuclear warheads. After retiring from the Senate, Nunn founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative and currently serves as co-chairman. A retired four-star general of the Air Force, General Breedlove served as the 17^th Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations. Breedlove has consistently advocated for the revitalization and transformation of Europe to face an increasingly antagonizing Russia.       

To view the statement, click here: https://bit.ly/37HjBf8