Lithuanian president urged immediate defense upgrades to meet the 2030 goal. He stressed NATO cohesion and Baltic security.
Countries that fail to outfit their armies with everything they need by 2030 will put NATO’s security at risk.
This was stated by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda at a joint press conference with his Czech counterpart Petr Pavel in Vilnius on March 12. He emphasized the priority of equipping the army by 2030 and the importance of the alliance’s joint efforts.
“Russia remains the greatest threat to Euro-Atlantic security, so we must act now and without delay… We must continue to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capabilities, intensify pressure on Russia through sanctions, and ensure accountability for these crimes”
– Gitanas Nausėda
Context of the statement and defense strategy
Lithuania highlighted the important role of the Czech Republic in supporting Ukraine, notably its initiative to supply artillery ammunition. According to the leader, Lithuania will continue to join this joint effort and support efforts to strengthen the region’s defense.
Nausėda said that Lithuania is already increasing its own defense spending to 5.2% of GDP and plans to allocate 5 to 6% of GDP for these purposes. Such a level of spending would allow the country to lead NATO’s ranking by the share of defense expenditures in GDP. This is not only a response to the alliance’s demands but also a national priority – to have by 2030 an army equipped with everything it needs.
“Countries that do not meet this requirement and this rule will jeopardize not only their own national security but also the security of the entire alliance. Therefore I urge all countries to approach this very responsibly”
– Nausėda
During the talks, they discussed how to broaden cooperation within the Bucharest Nine format, which includes both states, and how to further strengthen NATO’s potential in the region.
“We must focus primarily on air defense and on ensuring adequate coverage of our region by military forces. The transatlantic bond is the strongest foundation of collective defense, and a continuous presence of NATO forces is a key deterrent”
– Lithuanian President
The leaders also discussed economic cooperation and opportunities for joint defense projects, notably in the fields of drone technologies, information systems, and artificial intelligence, which could strengthen the defense capabilities of both countries and the region as a whole.
According to Nausėda, increasing defense spending aligns with both NATO requirements and Lithuania’s national priorities, including preparing the army for a modernized combat-ready format by 2030.
Within the talks, the partners also stressed the importance of close cooperation between Lithuania and the Czech Republic in defense and the development of joint technologies, focusing on regional security and strengthening transatlantic ties in today’s geopolitical environment.
In this context, they also noted the role of allies in supporting stability and security in Europe. The development of defense capabilities by 2030 remains a key factor for collective defense and deterrence of threats in the region.