Because the Baltic states' defense capabilities are so limited, traditional self-defense is not achievable. Because of their strategy and limited defense capability, the Baltics are very sensitive to CFE flank limitations which allow more Russian forces in the Northern flank. The Baltic states believe that Russia has not completely accepted their sovereignty. The building blocks for security begin at the regional level. Since Baltic declarations of cooperation were signed in May 1990, defense and security policy coordination has been developed in the Baltic Council, which created a Baltic Council of Ministers in June 1994.
Nordic ties are increasingly important.
Meetings between Baltic and Nordic prime ministers and foreign and defense ministers have led to cooperation on airspace control, coastlines and borders, and Baltic sea rescue operations. The Nordic countries have also aided in developing the Baltic Battalion, which is coordinated by Denmark and trains in Latvia. Lithuania's new practical military cooperation with Poland includes a combined peacekeeping unit and an airspace management regime. These ties tend to assuage lingering Lithuanian doubts that Kaliningrad could disqualify them for NATO candidacy. In sum, Poland may more closely tie the Baltic states generally, and Lithuania specifically, to NATO as the Alliance enlarges.