Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė on Monday defended her remarks about discussing alternative security scenarios for the country beyond NATO, saying it would be “naive” to plan for only one outcome as the geopolitical situation continues to change.
“It is very strange to me that some people question the need to discuss different scenarios,” Ruginienė said in an interview with LNK television. “It would be very naive to have only one scenario. Without a doubt, our main scenario – Plan A – is a strong NATO alliance with strong strategic partners and a strong, united European Union.”
Her comments came after criticism from parts of the parliamentary opposition, which accused her of irresponsible rhetoric that could undermine confidence in NATO.
Ruginienė said acknowledging multiple scenarios does not weaken Lithuania’s commitment to the alliance and argued that recent developments have reinforced the trans-Atlantic consensus.
“I am very glad that after I spoke about different plans, the United States truly listened and made decisions that confirm this is the direction we all must follow together,” she said.
At the same time, the prime minister said it would be unrealistic to ignore shifting global dynamics.
“It would be naive to pretend that nothing is happening,” she said. “We must talk about different scenarios, and the key element here is the European Union.”
Opposition leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas of the conservative Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats said earlier that Ruginienė’s rhetoric was irresponsible and said he would seek to discuss the issue with opposition factions at a meeting of parliament’s National Security and Defence Committee.
Kasčiūnas’ position was backed by the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” and the Liberal Movement.
Ruginienė also said she plans to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz later this week to discuss geopolitical challenges, including relations with the United States, security issues and economic cooperation.
“Relations with the United States, Greenland and [Belarusian smuggler] balloons will all be part of the discussion, because everything is connected,” she said, also citing the presence of German troops in Lithuania and plans for a German brigade deployment.
The prime minister is scheduled to visit Germany on January 29–30.
Germany plans to deploy a brigade to Lithuania by the end of 2027, and the two countries have deepened defence cooperation in recent years as Lithuania seeks to strengthen security on NATO’s eastern flank.
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