At dawn on Gotland Island, about 200 miles from Russia’s Kaliningrad, U.S. Marines fired mobile rocket systems as part of a military exercise, sending a clear message to Russia amid NATO’s challenges under President Trump.

Despite Trump’s questioning of NATO’s effectiveness and military commitments, U.S. commanders emphasize that operations in Europe remain steadfast.

The high north and Baltic regions are increasingly central to U.S. and NATO planning, with Finland and Sweden’s recent NATO membership strengthening regional security.

Gotland, a key strategic location, is now a military hub, capable of controlling Baltic air and sea operations.

Joint exercises with U.S., U.K., Nordic, and Baltic forces simulate potential conflicts with Russia, while the U.S. continues to showcase the effectiveness of its Himars rocket systems, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

However, coordination remains complex amid rapid technological change and Trump’s pause in weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

Written by B.C. Begley