On Thursday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said the country was increasing its defence budgets to meet its security needs, not due to pressure from partners.
"This is important to us, regardless of any outside demands," Nausėda told reporters at the European Political Community meeting in Budapest.
Prior to the American election, some European leaders and analysts feared that Donald Trump’s presidency could lead to a reduced US focus on the European Union.
Trump caused a stir in February when he said he would "encourage" Russia to attack any NATO member that fails to meet its financial commitments.
This year, Lithuania allocated around 3.2 percent of GDP to defence. Next year's draft state budget earmarks about 2.5 billion euros, or 3.03 percent of GDP.
Nauseda expects defence spending to grow to 3.5 percent of GDP in the future.
"I hope we can reach 3.5 percent, and in the near future, even 4 percent of GDP," he said.
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