VILNIUS, Lithuania — Ensuring a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine necessitates Kyiv’s full participation and an increase in defense expenditures by countries in the region to deter any future acts of aggression from Russia, stated Lithuania’s president.
Gitanas Naus?da articulated in a recent interview that a negotiated peace lacking adequate deterrent strategies would permit Russia to strengthen its military presence and gear up for subsequent hostilities.
He emphasized that even with a ceasefire in place, it is unwise to regard Russia’s intentions as benign, arguing, “They will use this break to reinforce their military capabilities and prepare for another strike.”
The president expressed concern over potential future targets for Russian aggression, which could include Ukraine, the Baltic nations, or beyond.
Lithuania, having endured Soviet occupation until 1990, remains apprehensive about the horrific realities of the war in Ukraine and the aggressive posturing of Russia.
Naus?da pointed out that Lithuania’s geographical proximity to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus makes the nation particularly vulnerable to a broader conflict that could arise from the Kremlin, even after the current war concludes.
“Living in this region, one can never achieve a sense of complete safety, primarily due to the presence of this neighbor,” remarked Naus?da regarding Russia’s ongoing threat.
He asserted the need for vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard against possible military attacks.
“This conflict is not merely a series of isolated incidents for individual countries; it represents a challenge posed by Putin to NATO as a whole,” he added.
Recently, Lithuania claimed a distinctive position as the first NATO member to pledge to elevate its defense spending to at least 5% of its GDP, a target set by the previous U.S. administration under President Donald Trump.
Critiques aimed at NATO nations for insufficient defense budgets have been prevalent, with Trump previously cautioning that he would not ensure the protection of alliance members who fall short of their spending commitments.
While some European nations have expressed concern that achieving Trump’s suggested defense budgets could hinder their economies, other countries along NATO’s eastern border—Lithuania among them—deem the adjustment essential for security.
Under Trump’s leadership, apprehensions arose regarding the future engagement of the U.S. in the Ukraine war, especially considering the vital military support provided by President Joe Biden’s administration.
Nevertheless, after taking office, Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek a resolution and cease hostilities, also threatening sanctions against Moscow.
Naus?da emphasized that the new American administration must guarantee Ukraine’s active role in negotiations to halt the conflict, insisting that any resolution should not be constructed solely through discussions between Moscow and Washington.
“It would be unacceptable if peace terms were drafted without Ukraine’s involvement,” he said, underscoring the significant sacrifices made by Ukraine during the conflict.
He added that the Ukrainian population deserves agency in deciding the terms of any peace agreement.
“I believe President Trump recognizes this: there can be no peace negotiations without Ukraine,” he remarked.
Another pressing security issue for Lithuania is the recent incidents involving damaged undersea cables and gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
Since October 2023, at least 11 cables have suffered damage, with the latest incident involving a fiber optic connection between Latvia and the Swedish island of Gotland.
NATO has initiated a mission called “Baltic Sentry” to safeguard essential underwater infrastructure crucial for the region’s economic stability.
While cable operators assert that such damages are frequent, the recent uptick and concentration of incidents have raised suspicions of possible deliberate sabotage.
Responding to these security concerns, Naus?da stated, “It is time for us to demonstrate our strength.”
He called for NATO and the EU to assume greater responsibility in monitoring the Baltic Sea and to bolster maritime capabilities to prevent future occurrences.
Despite some political pushback within Lithuania regarding increased military spending—already significant relative to GDP among NATO members—Naus?da reiterated the necessity of demonstrating self-reliance in national defense.
“It is absolutely vital for us as a frontline nation to enhance our defense investments,” he declared.
“While we can count on support from our NATO allies, it would be unrealistic to think that others would provide security for us if we show a lack of capability to defend ourselves.”
