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Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda announced that his country plans to allocate between 5 to 6 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually to defense from 2026 to 2030. The announcement comes in response to heightened regional security threats posed by Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the broader instability in Eastern Europe.

Lithuania, a member of both NATO and the European Union, has long been wary of Russian aggression, and the war in Ukraine has amplified those fears. With a population of just 2.8 million, Lithuania, which borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, has consistently sought to bolster its defense capabilities.

The country’s decision to ramp up defense spending is part of a wider trend in Eastern Europe, where nations are significantly increasing military expenditures in response to Moscow’s assertive and often hostile foreign policy.

A bold commitment

During a meeting with Lithuania’s State Security Council, President Nauseda underscored that the decision to increase defense spending was driven by the need for robust military deterrence in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.

“We have agreed to allocate between five and six percent of gross domestic product to defense each year between 2026 and 2030,” Nauseda said to reporters after the meeting. The move represents a substantial increase from the current spending levels, with Lithuania projecting to allocate between three and four percent of its GDP to defense in 2024.

The new budget will need to be approved by Lithuania’s parliament each year, ensuring democratic oversight of the country’s defense commitments. Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys described the decision as a necessary response to the region’s shifting security dynamics, stating, “Difficult times require bold decisions and leadership.”

Budrys further emphasized Lithuania’s commitment to NATO and called on other alliance members to adopt similar proactive measures. “We call on our allies to follow this lead. The era of passive ‘sit-and-wait’ strategies is over,” Budrys tweeted on X.

Poland and Lithuania’s military spending

Lithuania’s planned defense spending increase is in line with broader efforts by its regional neighbors to enhance military capabilities considering the ongoing threat from Russia. Poland, a NATO member and close ally of Lithuania, has already increased its defense spending to 4.12 percent of GDP in 2023 and plans to ramp up further, with the country projected to spend 4.7 percent of its GDP on defense in 2025.

While NATO’s current defense spending guideline mandates that member states allocate at least two percent of their GDP to defense, countries like Lithuania and Poland are going well beyond that threshold, setting a precedent for others in the alliance. This trend reflects both a heightened sense of urgency in the face of Russian aggression and the broader strategic shift within NATO to strengthen its eastern flank.

Lithuania’s defense plans

The increased defense budget is expected to enable Lithuania to significantly enhance its military capabilities. A key aspect of this effort is the development of a fully operational military division, which will require the acquisition of advanced weaponry and equipment.

Lithuania has already signed an agreement with Germany to purchase 44 Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks, a crucial step in modernizing its ground forces. Additionally, the country is in negotiations with Sweden to procure CV90 armored infantry fighting vehicles, which are considered among the best in their class.

The development of a robust defense infrastructure is central to Lithuania’s strategic vision, with President Nauseda emphasizing that while NATO membership provides a critical security guarantee, it will only be effective if Lithuania is prepared to defend itself.

“The likelihood of Russian military aggression remains real, but it is not inevitable. We need to significantly step up our efforts to strengthen our defense and deterrence,” Nauseda said. He further noted that “Our security is also assured by our membership of the NATO alliance, but it will only be effective if we are prepared to defend ourselves.”

Lithuania has consistently been one of Ukraine’s most vocal and steadfast supporters in its fight against Russian aggression. In addition to providing military aid, Lithuania has welcomed Ukrainian refugees and strongly advocated for greater Western support for Kyiv. Lithuania’s political leadership has stressed the strategic importance of Ukraine’s victory, not just for Ukraine itself but for the security of the entire region.

“The stakes are high,” said Nauseda, emphasizing that if Russia were to succeed in its campaign in Ukraine, it would represent a direct threat to neighboring NATO members like Lithuania. “We must act now to prevent such an outcome,” he said.

Lithuania’s increased defense spending is also a clear message to Moscow that the Baltic nation, and by extension, NATO, will not be passive in the face of aggression. As NATO strengthens its eastern flank with bolstered military presence and defense commitments, Lithuania’s decision to prioritize defense funding further solidifies the alliance’s resolve to confront Russian expansionism.

Lithuania’s move to significantly increase its defense budget is a clear reflection of the changing security landscape in Eastern Europe. With Russia’s war in Ukraine continuing to threaten the stability of the region, NATO members, particularly in the Baltics, are responding with increased military spending and a renewed focus on deterrence.

Lithuania’s planned defense investments will play a crucial role in strengthening both the country’s military capabilities and its position within the NATO alliance. As President Nauseda rightly pointed out, the era of passive strategies is over, Lithuania is preparing to defend itself, and calling on its allies to do the same.