Germany is prepared to take responsibility for Europe's security and to develop a brigade in Lithuania, German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said during a visit to Vilnius on Tuesday.
"While discussing the 2026 budget, I think we made it clear that we want to continue actively contributing to strengthening the defence alliance and helping achieve NATO goals," Klingbeil told a press conference following talks with his Baltic counterparts.
"We'll try to implement this even earlier than agreed and want to show that Germans are ready to take responsibility for Europe's security," he added.
The vice chancellor said Germany's commitment to defence spending included turning the planned German brigade in Lithuania into a reality.
"This would send a clear message to the people of Lithuania and the Baltic states that there's no doubt the German government will stand by its allies. It's a very important and unequivocal signal," he said.
Klingbeil stressed that as Europe's security landscape evolves, Germany remains determined to defend freedom and independence, with the Baltic states viewed as key partners in NATO and the EU.
"I'm confident that the Baltic governments, as well as the German government, can rely on each other's support. In Germany, we're taking comprehensive steps to increase our security capabilities and ensure deterrence," he said.
He also noted that the ministers discussed EU-level defence financing tools.
"We're working to implement the Stability and Growth Pact, which would enable safe financing for European investments and loans. The German brigade is one example of how we can make use of those European tools," Klingbeil said.
Highlighting the significance of his visit, Klingbeil said it was one of his first bilateral trips as vice chancellor.
"I want my visit to send a clear message that this region is very important to Germany. I've been here before and have established many friendly ties. All three Baltic states are very important partners for Germany and the German government, and we want even closer cooperation with these countries," he said.
Lithuanian Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius emphasised the shared commitment to bolstering defence capabilities.
"Latvia and Estonia are also on this path, and the new German government has also made sweeping decisions for which we are very grateful, because this is a serious step forward in bolstering European security," he said.
Šadžius described the German brigade's deployment in Lithuania as "a fundamental shift" and reiterated Lithuania's readiness to support it.
Germany aims to have the brigade – comprising 4,000 to 5,000 troops – fully deployed in Lithuania by the end of 2027.
Both ministers also underscored continued support for Ukraine.
"We support Ukraine and are committed to defending it against Russian aggression. We demand that Russia end its aggression, and we'll do everything in our power to support Ukraine financially, politically and militarily," Klingbeil said.
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