President Gitanas Nausėda said Wednesday that no foreign power involved in armed conflict in Europe will be allowed to use Lithuanian territory or airspace to launch drone strikes against another state, warning such actions would constitute a serious breach of sovereignty and international law.
“My position is clear and categorical. Lithuanian territory has not been and will not be used for any third-party military operations against neighbouring states,” Nausėda said. “Any attempt to illegally use Lithuanian airspace would be a gross violation of sovereignty and fundamental norms of international law.”
He added that leaders of countries involved in the conflict in Europe and NATO allies had been informed of Lithuania’s position.
The president’s comments appeared aimed at calming tensions after Russian allegations that Baltic states are allowing Ukrainian drones to use their airspace to strike Russian energy and military infrastructure. Ukraine has expanded the range of its drone attacks deeper into Russian territory, and incidents involving Ukrainian drones have been recorded in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Russian media has also speculated that alleged Baltic permission for Ukrainian drones to pass through their airspace could threaten Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, which could not be reached from Ukraine without crossing Poland or Lithuania.
Baltic and NATO officials have said drones that entered Baltic territory were likely diverted by Russian electronic warfare systems rather than intentionally directed flights.
On Tuesday, President Nausėda’s chief foreign policy adviser, Asta Skaisgirytė, said Lithuania has never granted, and will not grant, permission for third parties to use its airspace for military operations.
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