Leading NATO officials said on Thursday that the organization would begin its largest military exercises in decades next week. Approximately 90,000 soldiers will participate in months of training meant to demonstrate the alliance's ability to defend all of its territory up to its border with Russia. The drills take place as Russia's conflict with Ukraine drags on.

NATO does not directly participate in the war; its role is limited to providing non-lethal assistance to Kyiv. However, many member nations have sent arms and ammunition, either individually or in bulk, as well as military expertise. NATO started bolstering security on its eastern border with Russia and Ukraine in the months before President Vladimir Putin's decision for Russian forces to enter Ukraine in February 2022. This is the largest alliance build-up since the end of the Cold War. The goal of the war exercises is to dissuade Russia from attacking one of the member nations.