NATO strategists have drawn up around 4,000 pages of plans outlining how the Alliance could respond to different crisis scenarios on its eastern flank, according to Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee.

The plans cover a broad range of possible developments. They include responses to limited intervention on the territory of NATO member states as well as scenarios that could lead to the activation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Speaking to journalists during a meeting of NATO military leaders in Copenhagen, Cavo Dragone said the Alliance, its command structure, personnel, systems and weapons were prepared to respond if necessary.

He stressed that deterrence is intended to make any potential attack too costly for an adversary. Under that approach, the risks and potential losses associated with an attack should substantially outweigh any expected gains.

In late April 2026, Cavo Dragone described Russia as NATO’s main threat. He also said the Alliance expected Russian military capabilities to continue growing and planned to respond by strengthening its own forces and resources.