Abstract

The causes and development of the European Security and Defence Policy, its advantages and disadvantages in the process of formation and implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU are explored in the article. Transformation of ESDP according to Lisbon Treaty and the prospects of its operation in Europe are highlighted. Special attention is paid to the issues of improving the European Security and Defence policy in the context of new threats to regional and global security. The place and role of the Baltic States in the European Security and Defence Policy are analyzed. The position of the Baltic States in NATO, based on greater confidence in the institutions of NATO and close cooperation with the United States is considered. It has been found out that the Baltic States, being members of NATO and the EU, and therefore the parties of ESDP, consider the USA as the main guarantor of their national security. One reason is the lack of confidence in the ability of ESDP to confront modern threats. Military power of the EU without military support of the USA is considered almost hopeless for them. However, their role might be the coordination of cooperation between NATO and the EU in the field of security and defence. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania want to be «The NATO forces in the European Security and Defence Policy». The basic threats and security challenges for the Baltic States nowadays are defined, including possible aggression from Russia, which is broadcasted through the mainstream media as a reaction to the idea of protecting Russian­speaking population of the Baltic States and the establishment of «geopolitical balance through their return to the Russian sphere of influence».