NATO leaders unanimously recognize that Russia is the main threat to the Alliance on NATO’s eastern flank. In response to Russia’s aggressive actions, it has been agreed to enhance deterrence through all the means available to the allies – from conventional weaponry to missile capabilities and nuclear defense.
A whole range of specific and long-term military collective defense measures aimed at deterring Russia from attacking the Baltic states and other NATO countries has been approved for the first time.
“We can call this day historic for the security of Lithuania. From today, our people can really feel calmer and more secure as a whole arsenal of specific military measures to deter threats and ensure peace has been approved. We will be able to use full allied assistance and reinforcements if necessary. For the first time since we joined NATO we have guaranteed sophisticated, long-term military capabilities,” the President said.
The NATO summit has approved the deployment of a 1000-strong multinational allied battalion to each of the Baltic countries and Poland – led by the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Germany will lead a battalion in Lithuania, while the Benelux countries, Norway and France will contribute troops to it. Canada will lead a battalion in Latvia, the United Kingdom – in Estonia, and the United States – in Poland.
A brigade-sized (3–4 thousand troops) military unit of heavy military equipment will be deployed in Poland for the rapid arrival of reinforcements in any country of the region if needed.
The NATO summit has also adopted measures to protect the Baltic countries against possible military isolation, preventing the arrival of NATO reinforcements. These measures will be included in NATO defense planning and tested in simulations during exercises.
An agreement has been reached on updating NATO defense plans to tailor them for real threat scenarios as well as on their constant testing in intensive exercises. A more accelerated decision-making mechanism will be put in place – from now on, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe rather than the North Atlantic Council will adopt decisions on using the Response Force.
Agreements on the use of missile defense systems based in Romania and Poland to ensure the security of the whole Alliance as well as on the sites of pre-positioning military equipment on the eastern flank, including Lithuania, are also vital for the security of Lithuania and other NATO countries.
