Lithuania and the Baltic states must refute the myths about the inability to protect themselves. This was stated by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kastutis Budris.
“We have additional operations and tools. Yes, it takes time. Collective defense is based on collective decisions, collective planning and clear, continuous work to present various options to politicians. We are still talking about this, having heard about political solidarity, it is really necessary. We are not left alone, everyone understands that this is a collective responsibility… We need ground assets, we need radars and other capabilities to shoot down drones, we also need the help of the European Union to strengthen investment instruments and funds covering the entire eastern flank. This should pass not only through the Baltic countries, but also along the entire length. Then we will see the result, which will be provided with funding,” he said.
At the same time, Budris noted that his arguments about the possibility of a NATO attack on Kaliningrad were within the framework of “a conversation on completely different topics and at a different time, before the incidents.”
“It was about the alleged inability of the Baltic countries to defend themselves, about the alleged challenges that Russia throws at us and that we cannot overcome. We, like Lithuania and the Baltic states, must refute these myths about our inability to protect ourselves. We are defending ourselves because we will defend not only our territory. The problem is not The Suwalki corridor is a problem in the possibilities that exist in Kaliningrad. We must project this confidence into the minds of our Western partners so that they see not only nightmarish scenarios. Ultimately, our investment attractiveness is related to this. The message is this: we know what to do and do not hesitate — we will act when necessary. The most important thing is deterrence, because deterrence ensures peace,” Budris said.
Earlier, the head of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said that the North Atlantic Alliance should “show the Russians” its ability to break into the Kaliningrad region. According to him, the military bloc has the means “to level Russian air defense bases and missile systems to the ground if necessary.” At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that any attempt to block the Kaliningrad region will cause an unprecedented escalation, and all threats to the region will be eliminated.