Today, Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas welcomed Minister of Defence of Denmark Troels Lund Poulsen on a visit in Lithuania with the royal delegation. Ministers discussed the security situation in the region, agenda of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027, NATO security enhancement, air defence, cyber security and assistance to Ukraine.
Minister R. Kaunas thanked Denmark for the significant contribution in protecting the eastern flank of NATO. The country has been guarding the Baltic airspace eight times to date and is actively contributing to the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia and Eastern Sentry in Poland. Moreover, the NATO Force Integration Unit Lithuania was under leadership of a Danish officer for a decade.
When discussing regional security Ministers particularly focused on countermeasures against hybrid threats. “Airspace violations targeting airports and military bases show that the same hybrid challenge is relevant Europe-wide. We need to implement the EU’s timely and sufficiently financed Eastern Flank and Drone Wall initiatives as soon as possible to ensure security in Europe,” Minister said.
At the meeting, Ministers also addressed thoroughly assistance to Ukraine. R. Kaunas thanked Denmark for the input in the Capability Coalition for Demining co-led by Lithuania and Iceland. The Coalition evolved significantly over 2024-2025 successfully training and equipping eight Ukrainian EOD battalions and pooled EUR 119 million late last year for acquiring critical demining equipment.
“Lithuania respects our commitment to the Coalition of the Willing and to deploy forces in case of peace or ceasefire. Peacekeeping must be backed with real deterrence of a force and strong air and counter-UAV defence, the U.S. contribution is key in this matter,” noted R. Kaunas.
Ministers also shared experience on developing defence technology manufacturing with Ukraine thus enhancing both countries’ defence industry and capabilities.
When addressing the upcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027 Minister of National Defence was briefed on Denmark’s experience from the second semester of last year and underscored that Lithuania would consistently stay the course. R. Kaunas stressed that Lithuania’s agenda would centre on strengthening the European and Euro-Atlantic regional security and defence while ensuring comprehensive and timely assistance to Ukraine, sustainable development of the EU defence industry and sufficient defence spending.
In a discussion on strengthening NATO security, R. Kaunas pointed out the necessity for Europe to carry more of the financial burden in strengthening the Alliance, transition from air policing to air defence and ensure more Allied presence in the region. Minister also noted that Lithuania would support amplified NATO’s focus on the security of the High North. R. Kaunas also elaborated of the ongoing progress of stationing the German Brigade in Lithuania and the Host Nation Support rendered to the U.S. Allies on the ground. New permanent infrastructure was unveiled in Pabradė late last year and the 12th U.S. rotation in Lithuania since October 3 already moved in.
Lithuania and Denmark enjoy a long strategic defence partnership. Denmark was Lithuania’s first partner in multinational operation: in 1994-1996 Lithuanian military personnel served in Lithuania’s first multinational operation in composition of the Danish Battalion in Croatia.
Denmark has significantly contributed in strengthening the Lithuanian Armed Forces and to the National Defence Volunteer Force (Lith. KASP) development with early-stage assistance and targeted support over the period of preparations and negotiations for the EU and NATO membership. The Danish Home Guard has been offering different types of training of the Lithuanian KASP since 1993. Lithuanian and Danish military personnel train in joint exercises together.
Photo credits: A.Pliadis/ MoD
