Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis warns that the current support provided to Ukraine may not be enough to win against Russia, and the latter could rebuild its forces for a new offensive within a few years. Landsbergis believes that Lithuania must wake up from its „pleasant peacetime stagnation” and take urgent steps to boost its defence. He believes that Moscow hopes that Ukraine will have to negotiate due to too little Western support, which would be a victory for Putin and lead to Russia’s war against another neighbour.
Landsbergis also points out the US’s increasingly isolationist stance as another threat. He believes that Lithuania needs to prepare for the worst-case scenarios and a new qualitative turning point in its national security strategy. He outlines ten points that Lithuania’s security strategy should be based on and should be given the most attention right now.
The US has been and must remain the main pillar of NATO and Lithuania’s security, while Germany is becoming the European strategic pillar of Lithuania’s security. Landsbergis believes that it is time to complete strategic connectivity projects, strengthen military cooperation with Poland, strengthen regional partnerships with the Nordic and Baltic countries, and learn from Ukraine daily.
Lithuania’s top diplomat also believes that universal conscription is necessary for the country to build up significant capabilities and put itself „at the front” in terms of weaponry acquisition, particularly using drones and electronic warfare. The Lithuanian government plans to spend 2.71 percent of GDP on national defence next year, with 2.52 percent coming from regular budget appropriations and the rest from the existing temporary banking solidarity levy.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE NEWS
Lithuania call for help to Ukraine
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