“Against the backdrop of Moscow’s and Minsk’s saber-rattling, including nuclear, we understand that no concession can be made to the Kremlin regime currently in power. We agree with Poland that we need to work together bilaterally as well as to make use of the NATO and EU options to find a long-term and strong response to the threats Russia poses,” stated A. Anušauskas. According to him, a strong response starts on the frontlines in Ukraine, therefore both countries have to continue the assistance to Ukraine.
Both Ministers agreed that NATO had to further reinforce the Forward Defence: combat capabilities on the eastern flank of NATO needed to be strengthened to ensure a longtime deterrence of Russia. Lithuania and Poland will join forces for the said result at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, one of the main goals being ensurement of a reliable air and missile defence in the Baltic states. According to A. Anušauskas, the Vilnius Summit also has to aim for a mutual commitment of NATO Allies to spend at least the minimum of 2 percent of GDP on defence. Lithuania’s current defence spending amount to 2.5 percent of GDP which should be the new standard as the Alliance updates its defence investment commitments.
A. Anušauskas also underscored in his turn that Poland was a role model for other Allies in terms of strengthening defence capabilities.
