Minister of National Defence J.Olekas highlighted the increase in military activities in Kaliningrad oblast at the meeting. Minister also briefed General A. Bradshaw on his recent visit to Ukraine and the discussion with Minister of Defence of Ukraine on the security situation in the country and possible Lithuania’s support to strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) General Sir Adrian Bradshaw said that NATO had invoked all measures necessary to respond to the developing situation at its eastern borders. “I have come here to reassure you that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty remains valid. That is obvious and past question to everyone. I would like to reaffirm that the Alliance will review its plans to enhance collective defence and increase NATO’s capacity to respond,” General said.
He also underlined that Baltic nations had to expand and strengthen their defence cooperation to achieve better readiness for collective defence scenarios.
General pointed out at the meeting that NATO had significantly increased the numbers of land, sea and air personnel in the Baltic Region to reassure the allies and enhance readiness for collective in light of the instability in Ukraine.
The following rotation of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission which will begin in the airspace over Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on May 1 will include 12 NATO fighter aircraft, i.e. the Alliance will triple its usual contribution. Poland’s 4 MiG-29 fighter jets and 4 Eurofighter Typhoons of the United Kingdom will be stationed at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai, while 4 additional F-16 aircraft contributed by Denmark will be conducting the mission from the Amari Air Base in Estonia.
“The Lithuanian Air Base at Šiauliai is playing a key role in our efforts to keep the skies above our Baltic Allies safe, and the increased numbers of fighter aircraft in the skies of Lithuania are a strong show of Alliance cohesion,” said General Bradshaw also stressing that intensified NATO role in the Baltic States was sending a clear message that NATO was prepared to meet and deter any threat to the Alliance.
The Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe underlined that Lithuania was an important ally and its contribution to NATO missions was much appreciated. The guest also underscored that Lithuania was making a strong contribution to NATO operations as a relatively small country. General A. Bradshaw stressed that Lithuania’s commitments were particularly significant considering the actual size of its armed forces. “I welcome the recent announcement by the Lithuanian Government to further increase spending on defence capabilities,” he said.
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