Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said that Türkiye is an important NATO ally with strong military capabilities and a strategic geographic position, adding that Lithuania highly values Türkiye’s solidarity with and contribution to security in the Baltic region.
Ruginiene made the remarks in written responses to Anadolu ahead of the Ankara summit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
She said she expected the summit to reaffirm transatlantic unity and all allies’ strong commitment to fulfilling their obligations under the Washington Treaty.
“In this context, increasing defence spending and developing defence capabilities are of great importance to ensure a credible deterrence and defence posture,” she said.
Ruginiene said Russia remained the most direct long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and that the Russia-Ukraine war had further worsened Europe’s security environment, including for neighbouring countries.
The prime minister also condemned recent drone incursions from Russia and Belarus into Baltic airspace that affected NATO’s eastern flank.the defence
Strengthening the defence industry
Ruginiene said Lithuania expected the Ankara summit to make concrete progress towards the goal of allocating 5 percent of gross domestic product to defence, particularly by strengthening air defence capabilities and ensure a credible defence posture.
“Strengthening the defence industry is among our priorities. Allies need to increase production capacity, accelerate innovation and keep costs under control,” she said.
Ruginiene said continued military support for Ukraine remained vital and that Kiev had gained momentum on the battlefield through the contributions of all NATO allies.
“Our message must be clear. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, its military buildup and hybrid activities against allies have fundamentally changed Europe’s security environment,” she said.
“There is no alternative to increasing defence budgets in this new threat environment. Security cannot be taken for granted,” she added.
