A Lithuanian defence minister says NATO will change shape and Europe must shoulder more responsibility. Observers expect funding and strategy shifts ahead of the Ankara meeting.
NATO’s transformation began even before the summit in The Hague and continues on the eve of the meeting in Ankara, the Lithuanian Minister of Defense noted.
According to him, the alliance will not remain as it was before: it is undergoing a reform. A greater burden will fall on our shoulders, on Europe’s shoulders, and it will be necessary to take on this responsibility by increasing defense spending.
“NATO will not be the same as it was yesterday or the day before. It is transforming. On our shoulders, on Europe’s shoulders, a greater burden will fall, and we must deal with it, and we must deal with it by increasing defense spending”
– Budrys
At the same time, the minister urged recognizing the absolute necessity of the United States’ participation in Europe’s security and defense. “There is no alternative,” he stressed, noting the discussions about Europe’s autonomy from Washington.
“There is no alternative”
– Budrys
According to Budrys, there is a pattern: the lower defense spending, the louder the voices against the United States in Europe.
“The lower the defense spending, the louder the voices against the United States”
– Budrys
The Lithuanian minister also emphasized that Russia remains a long-term threat to the region, and the country needs to intensify responses from allies within the framework of collective defense.
“Russia is a long-term direct military threat to us for many generations, we must intensify”
– Budrys
In light of changes to the architecture of global security, there were also statements about the role of the United States in European defense and the absence of alternatives to this format, underscoring the need to strengthen coordinated security efforts among NATO member countries.
“Donald Trump is evidently disappointed that allies refused to join the military operation against Iran”
– NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
On the eve of a closed meeting, some sources point to possible changes in the international coalition, but the main takeaway remains the need to strengthen coordinated actions among NATO partner countries. The transformation of the alliance requires Europe to contribute more financially and to adopt a responsible strategic stance to sustain stability in the transatlantic space.
In short, the alliance’s transformation process continues, and Europe should anticipate further steps toward strengthening defense capabilities and increasing responsibility for its own security amid growing challenges in the region and the world.