Lithuania Urges Strengthening Military Alliance with Poland Over Russian Threat

Lithuania must significantly bolster its military alliance with Poland due to the escalating threat posed by the Russian Federation. Consideration of "worst-case scenarios" is deemed necessary.

This was reported by TVP World, citing Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis.

"It's time to conclude strategic projects in communication and significantly enhance military cooperation. Both countries bear a shared responsibility for one of NATO's most sensitive points - the Suwalki Corridor," noted Landsbergis during the presentation of a 10-point plan for preparing against the growing military threat from Russia.

The Minister added that as part of constructing a new security strategy, Lithuania must strengthen regional partnerships with Northern European and Baltic countries, and also "learn from Ukraine daily, not just at a distance but by being there."

According to Landsbergis, "the United States has been and should remain the mainstay of NATO and Lithuania's security," while Germany, announcing the deployment of its brigade of 5,000 soldiers in Lithuania, "becomes a European strategic pillar of security."

In the minister's view, his country should allocate 4% of GDP to defense, but the budget project for the following year provides for 2.71% towards these goals. Experts suggest this figure should be at least 3%.

He also emphasized the necessity for Vilnius to awaken from "pleasant peace stagnation" and begin strengthening its defense.

Lithuania is one of Ukraine's allies, providing multifaceted assistance, not only with arms and military equipment but also by training Ukrainian military personnel. Since the full-scale terrorist invasion, Vilnius has been providing comprehensive support to Ukraine.

For instance, as reported by The Gaze on November 22, Lithuania delivered another package of military aid, including 3 million units of ammunition, remote detonation systems, and more. Recently, it supplied two launcher units for the NASAMS air defense missile system.

Lithuania and Poland were united for several centuries as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Rzecz Pospolita, formed in 1569 following the Union of Lublin, uniting the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Samogitia, and the Kingdom of Poland. It was headed by an elected monarch who held the composite title of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. The country had a noble democracy maintained through elections to representative and local bodies: the Sejm, sejmiks, courts, etc. It boasted a high level of decentralized governance.

It ceased to exist following the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth between the Russian Empire, Prussia, and Austria in 1793 and 1795.