The Lithuanian president urges an increase in defense
President Gitanas Nauseda of Lithuania has spoken on the need for a rise in military spending for his nation following his recent re-election. During a press conference, he stated, "I believe we should strive for at least 3.5% of our GDP in the coming years." This target is not a random choice, but rather a figure that can be justified based on the "present urgent needs" of the Baltic EU and NATO member state.
More specifically, Nauseda highlighted three key areas requiring funding: the admission of the German-Lithuanian Brigade, the modernization of the Lithuanian army, and the preparation for the implementation of general conscription. "All of this necessitates tangible financial resources, we must provide them," the president reiterated, given his decisive re-election victory on Sunday.
Currently, Lithuania devotes 2.7% of its national output to defense expenditures. The government aims to boost this to 3% by 2025. The Finance Ministry has proposed a funding plan for the proposed increase, which was presented last week. "In my opinion, that's not enough," Nauseda insisted and has also frequently urged other NATO countries to raise their military spending.
The Baltic state of Lithuania is set to play a significant role in Germany's military activities moving forward. In response to the shifting security situation in Europe and Russia's aggressive tactics, the German government has approved the permanent stationing of a combat-ready brigade comprising up to 5,000 German soldiers in Lithuania. This initiative is projected to cost the Lithuanian government approximately €800 million, as per Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas.
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- The current military expenditure of Lithuania, which is 2.7% of its GDP, needs to be increased to meet President Gitanas Nauseda's target of at least 3.5%.
- Nauseda's push for a higher defense budget is not only driven by his desire for increased military capability but also by the "present urgent needs" of Lithuania as a Baltic EU and NATO member state.
- In his remarks, President Nauseda has also urged other NATO countries to consider increasing their military expenditure, citing the importance of collective defense in the current security environment.
Source: www.ntv.de
