Landsbergis highlighted the multiple security challenges facing the neighbourhood. “Lithuania and other countries in the region are facing several threats at the same time — Russia's steady development of military capabilities, the continuing integration of the Russian and Belarusian armed forces, and Lukashenko’s hybrid attack. Thus, we expect solidarity and further support from our allies and partners," said Landsbergis.
The B9 meeting prepared for a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Riga from 30 November to 31 December.
The Foreign Minister also highlighted Lithuania’s ambition to pay due attention to a changed security environment and NATO’s deterrence and collective defence, when implementing the NATO 2030 decisions and developing the Alliance’s new strategic concept. “It is important to continue NATO's discussion on hybrid threats, as well as to follow the evolving security environment in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Landsbergis.
During his visit to Tallinn, Landsbergis met with the United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried to discuss the Russian and Belarusian threats, further strengthening deterrence in the Baltic region, cooperation to address China’s challenges, as well as other issues of bilateral economic and security cooperation.
“Bearing the dynamics of the security environment in mind, we seek after the greater military presence of the U.S. and other NATO countries in Lithuania. We are also grateful to the U.S. for standing with Lithuania against the Chinese pressure,” said Landsbergis.
Founded in Bucharest in November 2015, the B9 initiative brings together nine countries — Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia — for a regular security policy dialogue at various levels.
