NATO must be prepared for Russia to attempt an invasion of the Baltic states. The North Atlantic Alliance must build up its defense power.
This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Lithuania Arvydas Anushauskas. He believes that Russia poses a “direct and long-term threat” to the Baltic states.
“NATO must be prepared to react quickly in case of a threat,” the Lithuanian minister said.
The reality of the military threat
Anusauskas recalled that Lithuania borders on the Kaliningrad region and Belarus, and that “Russia's war against Ukraine confirms the reality of the military threat.”
The minister said that the aggressive rhetoric of the Kremlin and its propaganda, “the intensive militarization of the Kaliningrad region, as well as the factor of Belarus, fully integrated into the Russian military system, pose a real threat to Lithuania and the region as a whole.”
According to him, in this regard, building up NATO's defense and deterrent capabilities is of paramount importance.
What preceded this
Earlier it was reported that Belarus sent four columns with military equipment to the border with Lithuania. It was about at least 70 pieces of equipment.
The Ministry of Defense of the country quickly responded and assured that they were constantly monitoring the situation and there was no threat. They also urged caution about information from “anonymous sources.”
Important! Lithuania is a member of NATO. In February, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin stressed that NATO would defend the Baltic states if necessary. The US commitment to Article 5 of the Alliance is unwavering.
