Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas took part in the extraordinary NATO Defence Ministerial on March 16. The meeting took decisions on resetting Alliance deterrence and defence for the long-term. The Ministers agreed to reinforce the eastern flank of the Alliance with additional NATO force deployments there, more strength to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Groups and their improved readiness. Also, with enhanced air and missile defence and more military training events of significant scope.
“The Russian aggression against Ukraine is a turning-point in security, it will inevitably have lasting consequences. The Russian forces in Belarus is also a game changer. NATO needs to adopt concrete long-term measures to build up its security. At the moment we have the NATO Response Force put on heightened alert and activated defence plans,” said A. Anušauskas.
NATO Ministers of Defence also discussed the assistance to Ukraine and defence spending. A. Anušauskas noted that Lithuania was increasing its defence budget to 2.52% of GDP still in 2022.
On the margins of the NATO Defence Ministerial A. Anušauskas met with Defence Ministers of Poland, Denmark, Spain, Romania and Finland to discuss military cooperation in the current security environment.
Photo courtesy: NATO
