This certainly was surprising to see.
Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda has emphasized that any resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine must include Kyiv’s active participation and be accompanied by increased defense spending from regional nations to deter future Russian attacks. During a conversation with The Associated Press, Nausėda issued the warning that a ceasefire or peace settlement without proper safeguards would only provide Russia the opportunity to regroup, strengthen its military, and plan for future strikes.
“Russia will not simply stop after a ceasefire,” Nausėda said. “They will use this pause to consolidate and prepare for another offensive.” With Ukraine and NATO’s eastern allies like the Baltic states constantly within Russia’s reach, the president warned that these nations could be next on Moscow’s list. Ukraine’s struggle is not just a fight for its sovereignty but a battle for the security of all NATO members.
Lithuania, situated between Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, remains deeply vulnerable to potential Russian aggression. Nausėda pointed out that even after the war ends, the threat from Russia will persist. “You can never feel safe living in this part of the world,” he stated. “We have a neighbor that will always pose a threat, and we must prepare accordingly.”
In response to the growing concerns, Lithuania recently became the first NATO member to commit to raising its defense budget to at least 5% of its GDP, in line with a call made by former President Donald Trump. While some European countries have resisted this goal, citing economic burdens, Lithuania’s leadership sees it as a crucial step to ensuring its security. Nausėda underscored that the current situation is not just about individual nations’ defense but about NATO’s collective security. “This is a challenge to NATO,” he said, “not just Lithuania.”
The rise in threats to Baltic undersea infrastructure, including the damage to critical cables and pipelines, further underscores the region’s vulnerability. NATO recently launched the “Baltic Sentry” mission to safeguard these vital assets, but Nausėda called for more proactive steps to address these risks. He urged both NATO and the European Union to bolster their maritime presence in the Baltic and prevent further attacks.
As Lithuania stands firm in its commitment to defense, Nausėda made it clear that self-reliance is crucial. “We must show we can defend ourselves,” he said. While NATO support is indispensable, expecting protection without investing in one’s own defense would be a dangerous mistake.