Successful deployment of the German brigade in Lithuania is the shared responsibility of Vilnius and Berlin, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told Lithuanian lawmakers on Thursday.
“It is our shared responsibility to make this flagship project a success. We all are and remain committed to the road map that we agreed on last December, with the clear goal to deploy the brigade to Lithuania by 2027 – provided that the necessary infrastructure is operational by that time,” the German minister said.
The brigade’s Activation Staff will be established in Lithuania by the end of this year, the German minister said.
“By 2025, we plan to deploy roughly 500 service personnel. In 2026, we will transfer further personnel as well as the command of our multinational battle group in Lithuania to our brigade,” Pistorius said, adding that “in this endeavour, we can build on what is already a strong and robust bond that is now entering into a new era”.
“All NATO partners must move beyond these 2 percent. Lithuania is a role model in this regard, also for my country,” Pistorius said.
He also called Germany’s post-Cold War decision to suspend conscription a mistake: “But times have changed. Germany needs to introduce a new form of military conscription. Only by doing so will our army prevail in a state of war.”
‘A resolute nation’
According to the minister, the deployment of the German brigade is not only about deterrence and Germany’s commitment to ensuring the security of its allies but also about partnership among countries, as well as the strengthening of trust and cooperation among nations.
Pistorius made the remarks as the Lithuanian parliament starts deliberating the ratification of the recently signed agreement on the rights of German soldiers, civilians and their families deployed in Lithuania.
Germany will ratify the agreement with Lithuania on the rights of German soldiers next year, Pistorius said.
“The agreement will be ratified in Germany in accordance with all the procedures and all the requirements and it will take a little longer than in Lithuania,” he told a press conference on Thursday. “Of course, it will be ratified, and I think that ratification procedure will be completed next year.”
As he began addressing the Seimas, Pistorius also underlined Lithuania’s contribution to the creation of a free and united Europe.
“The Seimas is not only the home of Lithuanian democracy. It is also a symbol of Lithuania’s contribution to the reunification of a free and democratic Europe – after decades of Cold War and insurmountable borders cutting our continent in two,” Pistorius said.
“Thirty-five years ago, you, the people of Lithuania, bravely stood up for freedom and independence. You peacefully and courageously opposed and eventually defeated totalitarian oppression and subjugation,” he added.
The German defence minister said he vividly recalled the pictures of the Baltic Way in 1989 when 2 million people locked hands to form a 600-km long human chain.
“In 1990, when your people stood up and declared their country’s independence, and again in January 1991 when Soviet tanks tried to destroy that very independence, the world witnessed something extraordinary: a resolute nation defying one of the most powerful regimes in history,” the German minister said. “Lithuania’s story, your story, is one of courage, determination and unwavering belief in the values we all hold dear: democracy, freedom, and a people’s right to shape their own future.”
‘Lithuania’s security is Germany’s security’
According to Pistorius, the German government’s decision to deploy the fully combat-ready brigade in Lithuania, announced in April 2023, was “a strong message that for us, national defence is collective defence. That Lithuania’s security is Germany’s security”.
The minister also added that “this friendship means a lot to me personally and to the German people”.
“With this decision, we reinforce the strength of our alliance and we deliver on our promise to protect a free and democratic Europe. Our soldiers will stand shoulder to shoulder with Lithuanian forces, ready to defend this country. Just as the Alliance as a whole is prepared to defend every other inch of NATO territory,” Pistorius said.
He thanked Lithuanian lawmakers for their support in implementing the decision to establish the German brigade, referring to the law recognising military infrastructure as a project of national importance, the decision to have a defence budget exceeding 3 percent of GDP, as well as the the support for German defence companies launching operations in Lithuania.
A few weeks ago, Vilnius and Berlin signed an agreement on the rights of German soldiers and their families. For it to enter into force, the document still needs to be ratified by the Lithuanian and German parliaments. It is not yet clear yet when the Bundestag will do that.
Lithuania and Germany have agreed to deploy the brigade by the end of 2027, although officials fear that this deadline could be moved further.
Support for Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started a war that threatens international order, Pistorius said.
“In pursuing its imperial aspiration of restoring Russian hegemony across large parts of Eastern and Central Europe, Russia’s leadership shows nothing but contempt for international law and the rules-based international order,” the German defence minister said. “We are witnessing how Russia is rapidly gearing up its armaments production and dramatically building up its armed forces. All this leaves no doubt: For Russia, Ukraine is only the beginning.”
Putin’s real enemy is Europe’s free and independent, democratic way of life, and the values the Lithuanian people have fought to obtain for decades, he pointed out.
According to Pistorius, Germany is one of the strongest supporters when it comes to helping Ukraine to restore its territorial integrity.
“It is in our power to support Ukraine in fighting and winning this war. I can assure you that we will not relent in our efforts! It is in our national interest, and it is an issue that matters to me personally,” the German minister continued.
Germany is Ukraine’s second largest supporter after the United States.
However, Germany’s 2025 budget bill includes around 4 billion euros for Ukraine, down from around 8 billion euros planned in 2024.
The German government has previously said it would rely on plans by the G7 and the European Union to raise funds from frozen Russian assets to compensate for the reduction in aid.
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