“Thank you, Secretary General. I am under instructions to pass on a direct message from the President of the United States of America to all NATO member states: the US will not abdicate from its responsibilities. Members can be assured that the US is, once again, coming to the support of Europe in its hour of need. We are in the process of deploying significant forces to Europe. The President is determined that NATO will do whatever needs to be done to expel Russia from the Baltic states. America will lead the force and provide whatever means are necessary to achieve victory. The President asks all the nations to live up to their obligations under Article Five and join us in this venture.”

Then came the challenge. “But, if necessary, we will act alone.”

The UK ambassador spoke next. Dame Flora Montrose delivered the UK’s message with her customary brevity. “The UK’s Baltic allies have been attacked and occupied. The Royal Navy has suffered unprovoked attacks on two ships, Queen Elizabeth and Padstow. Hundreds of our sailors, marines and soldiers have been killed. Britain will not stand by and watch this vicious aggression go unpunished. Britain therefore considers itself at war with Russia. Together with the United States and, we trust, all our NATO allies, Britain will do what needs to be done to re-establish peace and legitimacy in the Baltic region.”

There was a surprised murmur from the ambassadors around the table. Here, at last, was Britain stepping forward and taking a lead role in NATO—a welcome change from recent years.

The German ambassador, bulky and glowering, caught Secretary General Kostilek’s eye and was given the floor.

“Secretary General, dear colleagues. Germany’s history gives us a unique perspective and understanding of the impact of unprovoked aggression by a dictator unfettered by the need to conform to democratic institutions. What we have witnessed in the Baltic states is no different in tone from Nazi Germany’s occupation of much of Europe in the Second World War. You will all be aware that the weight of history has continued to weigh heavily on Germany, hence our reluctance to participate in certain international missions where force has been used. However, I cannot begin to express adequately the outrage and horror felt throughout my country at the sinking of FGS Eckernförde and the death of so many of its crew. This, as well as the attacks on our friends in the Baltic states and on the ships and soldiers of America and Britain, has totally changed attitudes in Germany. The Bundestag, the Constitutional Court, and the population as a whole are now overwhelmingly in favor of taking whatever action needs to be taken to expel Russia from the Baltic states. Germany stands by to play a full part in undertaking military action together, we hope, with our fellow NATO members. But without them if necessary.”