Security in Eastern Europe remains a top priority as the Russian threat looms, and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has voiced his support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to increase NATO defense spending. Nausėda emphasized that any peace settlement in Ukraine must fully involve Kyiv and include deterrent measures to prevent future Russian aggression.
The Russian Threat Remains
Nausėda warned that a ceasefire in Ukraine would not mean the end of Russia’s ambitions. “You cannot believe that the intentions of Russia will be just to stop and do nothing,” he stated in an interview with The Associated Press. He explained that Moscow would use any pause in fighting to regroup and prepare for future attacks.
The Lithuanian president also highlighted his country’s vulnerability, given its geographic position bordering Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave to the west and Belarus to the east. “You can never feel safe living in this part of the world because we have this neighbor, and we will still have it after one hundred or two hundred years,” Nausėda said.
Lithuania Increases Its Defense Spending
Lithuania has become the first NATO country to commit to spending at least 5% of its GDP on defense, aligning with Trump’s proposed goal. Nausėda explained that, given the escalating Russian threat, this increase is a necessity rather than a burden.
Trump has long criticized NATO members that fail to meet defense spending targets, even threatening to withhold U.S. protection from those who do not comply. While some European countries see a 5% GDP commitment as an economic strain, Lithuania and other nations on NATO’s eastern flank view it as crucial for security.
Calls for Ukraine’s Full Involvement in Peace Talks
Regarding potential negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, Nausėda insisted that Kyiv must be directly involved in any peace agreements. “It would be unacceptable if the peace would be set behind the doors and without the involvement of Ukraine,” he said.
He stressed that Ukraine has paid a heavy price in the war, suffering significant human and infrastructure losses. “The Ukrainian people deserve the right to set the conditions of this peace,” Nausėda stated. “I think that President Donald Trump understands that: no peace negotiations without Ukraine.”
Suspicion Over Baltic Sea Sabotage
Another growing security concern in Lithuania is the recent damage to undersea cables and gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Since October 2023, at least 11 cables have been damaged, with the most recent rupture affecting a fiber optic cable connecting Latvia and the Swedish island of Gotland.
To address these threats, NATO launched the “Baltic Sentry” mission to protect vital underwater infrastructure. While cable operators note that undersea damage is common, the frequency and location of these incidents have raised concerns of deliberate sabotage. “It is time for us to show some muscle,” Nausėda declared. He urged NATO and the EU to enhance maritime surveillance to prevent further incidents.
Strengthening National Defense
Despite some opposition within Lithuania to increased military spending, Nausėda firmly defended the move. “This is an absolutely clear priority for this country, as a frontline country, that we have to spend more,” he said.
While Lithuania relies on NATO support, Nausėda warned that the country must demonstrate its own defense capabilities. “It would be naive to expect that somebody will care about our security if there will be clear indications that we are not able to defend ourselves,” he concluded.