The Lithuanian leader stressed that now is a crucial time to mobilize support for Ukraine and to strengthen its capabilities as much as possible. According to the President, the time for conferences is over—we have to act. Europe needs to take on greater responsibility, with a priority on bolstering Ukraine’s defense industry. “The issue of Ukraine is a global one. Pressuring Ukraine to negotiate on unfavorable terms, undermining its sovereignty and territorial integrity, is incompatible with a just and sustainable peace. We need to work towards Ukraine’s victory and Russia’s containment,” the Head of State stressed. Regarding practical steps, Gitanas Nausėda proposed that allies work together to train and equip Ukrainian brigades, procure and provide Ukraine with Ukrainian-made ammunition, and continue to train Ukrainian troops at dedicated centers across Europe.
On NATO’s long-term policy towards Russia, the President emphasized that we have to acknowledge that Russia will remain the biggest threat for the foreseeable future. “We need to counter Russian aggression across all domains, including hybrid operations, intensify sanctions against Russia and its authoritarian allies—China, Belarus, North Korea, and Iran—and take steps to limit their cooperation,” the President stated.
“We support the format of like-minded JEF countries, which would enable us to respond quickly and effectively when needed. We also support the proposal to have a larger JEF force in the Baltic Sea, as it would contribute to NATO’s deterrence policy and help prevent hybrid threats and incidents,” the Lithuanian leader emphasized during the working session.
The leaders of the JEF countries signed a joint declaration on increasing defense investment, strengthening support for Ukraine and Ukraine’s defense industry, and countering Russia’s hybrid attacks.
A statement on concrete measures to deter Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ was also signed.
The JEF is a UK-led, high-readiness, and rapidly deployable force established in 2014 to respond to a wide range of threats, deter adversaries, and contribute to security. Following Iceland’s accession in April 2021, the JEF now consists of 10 countries: the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
