Lithuania's Defence Minister Urges Increased Military Spending to Counter Russian Threat

Vilnius, Lithuania – April 15, 2025

In a direct appeal to European nations, Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene emphasized the urgent need for increased defense spending to deter potential aggression from Russia. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, she stated that Europe must eliminate borrowing limits for military expenditures to avoid the looming threat of war with Russia.

"Defence now is an existential matter," Sakaliene asserted. "It's more important than structural reforms." She underscored the critical importance of military readiness, stating, "If you cannot provide enough ammo for your soldiers, it doesn't really matter what you say."

Immediate Action Required

Sakaliene highlighted the pressing necessity for European nations to allocate funds towards strengthening military capabilities. "We have a chance to prevent our citizens from dying in terrifying numbers from Russian bullets and Russian bombs. But we need to disburse funds for strengthening our military, our defence capabilities, right now," she warned.

For the upcoming year, Lithuania plans to increase its defense spending from 3.9% to 5.5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This move aligns with the heightened sense of insecurity among European Union (EU) member states, particularly those sharing borders with Russia and its ally, Belarus.

Collaborative European Defence Fund

During recent discussions among EU finance ministers, the concept of a joint defense fund has garnered interest. This fund would purchase and manage defense equipment, alleviating the financial burden on heavily indebted countries by separating the incurred debt from national accounts. Such measures aim to bolster military readiness across the continent as governments recognize a diminished reliance on the United States for security.

Sakaliene's comments come in the context of increasing military tensions. Russia's Defence Minister has indicated that Moscow is preparing for the possibility of direct conflict with NATO over the next decade. In response, the EU has initiated the ReArm Europe plan, which aims to increase military spending by €800 billion (approximately $876 billion) over the next four years, promoting collaboration on large defense projects and revising fiscal rules on defense investments.

Call for Immediate Financial Support

The Lithuanian minister is advocating for the EU to remove restrictions on defense borrowing and to provide immediate grants to member states. In her view, this financial support is crucial for enhancing military capabilities to address emerging threats.

She reflected on previous relationships with U.S. leadership, particularly recalling comments made by former President Donald Trump regarding the financial contributions of NATO allies. "This tension, this unpleasant conversation - it is justified... We are where we are because Europe lagged behind, terribly, for years," Sakaliene noted.

Despite Trump's remarks, she claims that NATO's frontline allies, including Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland, maintain strong support from the United States in times of crisis, thanks to their significant defense spending and close military cooperation with U.S. forces.

Looking Ahead

As preparations continue for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague in June, Sakaliene expressed her hope that NATO allies will adopt a defense spending goal of at least 4% of GDP, reflecting the seriousness of the Russian threat.

Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius
Editing by Ros Russell

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