Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has proposed increasing the country's defence spending next year to at least 3 percent GDP, adding that there is the “political will” among Lithuanian parties to accomplish it.
“Following consultations with political parties, I see the arising political will to support my objective of increasing the level of military expenditure to at least 3 percent GDP for the upcoming year,” Nausėda said in an interview for LRT TV’s show Topic of the Day on Monday.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has also backed further increases in defence spending in the country amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“I have seen a draft document on 3 percent, but in an unspecified timeframe. We, meanwhile, are talking about 2.5 percent already this year,” Šimonytė told a press conference on Tuesday, adding that if this target is reached earlier than planned, further targets will have to be negotiated.
"There is a need to agree on further targets. And it was agreed with the representatives of political groups [in the parliament] yesterday that they will delegate their people to review the existing national defence funding agreement as there is a need to agree on new objectives and milestones,” she added.
According to the prime minister, these negotiations should not take long and will determine whether and when the 3 percent GDP target will be reached.
Later in the spring, the government will propose to the parliament, Seimas, to increase defence spending as early as this year from 2 percent to 2.5 percent GDP.
The additional allocations will amount to around 250 million euros. The Ministry of Defence says the money will be used to procure multiple launch rocket systems, combat drones, anti-tank systems, other types of weaponry, ammunition, and accoutrements for troops.
Read more: All parliament parties back raising defence spending – Lithuanian PM
An increasing number of NATO countries have been sending troops to Lithuania recently amid growing fears for regional security. Leading the Lithuania-based international NATO battalion, Germany has sent several hundred additional troops, and the United States has vowed to follow suit. The Netherlands, Norway and several other countries have deployed smaller numbers of troops.
“We see NATO's readiness to defend us – and not just because Article 5 is being raised more than ever before, saying that all NATO allies are ready to defend every square centimetre of our land. But I am even more impressed with the response and understanding that the security situation in the region has changed,” Nausėda said.
“Our NATO allies are making decisions on our reinforcement without waiting and holding discussions for months, and it’s taking place today. This is more of a proof that NATO will defend us than just statements that Article 5 of the NATO Treaty is sacred,” the president added.
Nausėda noted, however, that the Baltic air policing mission, launched back in 2004, is no longer sufficient and should be upgraded to an air defence mission.
“It's no longer enough to fly alongside enemy planes, if they enter our territory. Air defence, both air to air and land to air, is needed, and today it’s the key issue we are discussing under the NATO format,” the president said.
He expects these things to move “to real action” by the start of the NATO summit in Madrid in the coming summer.
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