News

On 22 September, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, met with the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) countries and Canada at the United Nations Headquarters. Ministers focused on international security, support to Ukraine, as well as security cooperation between NB8 countries and Canada in the Baltic, North Atlantic and Arctic areas.

Budrys urged allies to respond resolutely to Russia's increasing provocations and hybrid attacks against NATO member states.

“These are not isolated incidents. Russia is systematically testing NATO's vigilance and readiness to respond. We cannot allow such escalating tactics to become a reality on a daily basis," the Minister said.

Budrys called for increased pressure on Russia by imposing additional sanctions, tightening visa policy, limiting the activities of Russian operatives, under the guise of diplomatic status, and stepping up action against the shadow fleet. The Minister also called for accelerating the deployment of counter-drone solutions, strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and expanding the exchange of intelligence.

"We need to implement the decisions taken at the Ankara summit and reinforce NATO's deterrence and defence posture, especially along the Alience's eastern flank. We need to increase the readiness of allied forces and boosting the defence industry," said Budrys.

He also called on allies to strengthen their overall resilience to hybrid threats, acts of sabotage and false flag operations.

"Lithuania has already strengthened the protection of critical energy infrastructure. We now need to coordinate the assessment of the situation even more closely, establish accountability for hostilities more quickly and agree on a common response that would create a real cost for the aggressors," the Minister stressed.

On Ukraine, Budrys urged allies not to cut back support and increase pressure on Russia.

Budrys reminded that Lithuania's military support to Ukraine has already exceeded 1 billion euros since 2022, and Lithuania will continue to provide at least 0.25% of its GDP to Ukraine.

The Minister also invited Canada and NB8 partner countries to contribute more actively to the reconstruction of Ukraine, strengthening energy resilience and driving return initiatives for deported Ukrainian children.

Speaking about the security of the Arctic region, Budrys stressed that the security of the Baltic, North Atlantic and Arctic is becoming inseparable.