According to Nauseda, the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank should not be limited to the transfer of infantry.
In response to Russia's war against Ukraine, NATO allies are actively strengthening their eastern flank, deploying additional forces to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, as well as Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria. However, according to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, the protection of NATO's eastern allies should not be limited to the transfer of troops, as Russia is clearly preparing to attack Allies . He stated this today at the Atlantic Council conference.
“Strengthening defense is a matter not only of personnel but also of weapons. Therefore, we must talk not only about defense on land, but also in the sky. We need air defense, we need missile defense so we can close our skies. This is not the case now, ”Nauseda said during a conference at the Atlantic Council.
He also reminded of the threat lurking in the Suwałki Corridor. And against the background of the Russian war in Ukraine, as well as the deployment of Russian troops in Belarus, this threat is of particular concern to Vilnius.
“I welcome the recent transfer of NATO troops to Poland. But the positions of the Lithuanian side should also be defended. We must ensure that Russian troops will not be able to take advantage of the strategic advantage in the Suwałki Corridor, “Nauseda said, recalling that Lithuania has a common border with the Kaliningrad region on the one hand and with Belarus, where the Russian army is now based.
He stressed that Moscow could not be allowed to quickly take control of the Suwałki Corridor. Otherwise, in the event of a conflict, it will completely cut off the Baltic states from helping other NATO countries.
In turn, the President of Estonia Alar Karis called for the permanent base of significant NATO forces in the Baltic States.
“We expect that the relevant decision will be made at the summit in Madrid. It will also be possible to discuss what to do with the money that Russia receives from the sale of oil and gas, “he said.
For his part, President Egils Levits stressed that it was time for NATO in the Baltics to move from a strategy based on the deployment of a rapid reaction force to direct defense.
“There must be enough troops in our countries to hold the territory in case of a Russian attack. This means that more troops need to be sent here, I mean the entire eastern flank. I think this is a necessary step for NATO to be able to fulfill its mission to protect the security of member countries, “said the Lithuanian President.
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Earlier it was reported that all NATO allies agree that the use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons against Ukraine by the Russian army will change all calculations completely. And the alliance will be forced to give the most tough and decisive answer . This was stated by the presidents of the Baltic countries at a conference in the Atlantic Council.
