The deployment of German soldiers to secure a peace deal in Ukraine does not jeopardize plans to station the Bundeswehr in Lithuania, according to the president of the Baltic country, Gitanas Nausėda.
“I consider Germany to be a very strong and reliable partner,” Nausėda said on Wednesday. “I am convinced that it is possible to send a peace mission to Ukraine while at the same time fulfilling all obligations towards Lithuanina.”
He was speaking during his visit to the retreat held by the Bavarian conservative party, the CSU, in the southern German monastery of Seeon.
The German brigade in Lithuania is a new, permanently stationed Bundeswehr unit intended to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank against possible threats from Russia or neighbouring Belarus.
It is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027 and will consist of approximately 5,000 soldiers.
Nausėda emphasized that work is currently still under way on a major infrastructure project at a military training area, which is mainly intended for the German brigade.
“We are ready and determined to complete these projects by the end of 2027. According to our plans and those of the German government, the deployment of the entire German brigade should be completed by the end of 2027,” he said. “We are doing our best and time is pressing.”
Earlier this week German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for the first time raised the prospect of Germany’s potential military involvement in securing a possible ceasefire, and did not rule out deployment on Ukrainian territory.
In addition, Germany assured Lithuania of its support against the Russian threat some time ago, together with other NATO partners.
Chairman of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) in the Bundestag Alexander Hoffmann (L) and President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda make a statement during the continuation of the three-day closed-door meeting of the CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag at Seeon Monastery. Malin Wunderlich/dpa