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On 22 April in Vilnius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is paying an official visit to Lithuania.

The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Lithuania and Germany, Russia's war against Ukraine, the security situation in the region, comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, the need to strengthen the NATO eastern flank's defence capabilities, and ties with China.  

Lithuania's Foreign Minister noted that he appreciated Germany as a reliable strategic partner and thanked the country for its solidarity, significant contribution to the strengthening security of Lithuania and NATO’s eastern border, and for the leadership of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Lithuania.

According to Landsbergis, Germany’s timely decision to deploy additional troops in Lithuania sends a clear message of unity and solidarity on behalf of the NATO as a whole. “Today, I heard the most important message for Lithuania and the whole region — Germany is ready to make a significant contribution to the establishment of NATO's brigade in Lithuania,” said the Foreign Minister.

According to Lithuania's Foreign Minister, there is a need for specific NATO decisions regarding the strengthening of the eastern flank's forward defence. The Alliance must be ready to defend the Baltic states from the very first minutes of a conflict.

The Foreign Ministers discussed how Russia’s actions had radically changed the security environment and that this must be reflected in the decisions of the next NATO Summit in Madrid.

Landsbergis also thanked Germany for its solidarity in imposing sanctions against Russia and Belarus, the intention to stop importing oil from Russia by the end of the year, and stressed the urgent need to reach a consensus in the European Union on a new comprehensive package of sanctions against Russia. “I understand that this is a difficult decision for countries that depend to a large extent on Russian energy resources, but it is a necessary one,” said Landsbergis.

The Foreign Ministers agreed to continue providing comprehensive support to Ukraine, which was fighting for the values and security of Europe as a whole. “As Russia intensifies its military actions in the eastern Ukraine, Ukraine needs all possible weapons to counter new attacks. If our partners are facing challenges in training Ukrainian soldiers to use modern equipment, Lithuania can offer our competent instructors, equipment, polygons, and other necessary assistance. We are already training Ukrainians to use the equipment, so it will be easy for us to expand the training program,” said Landsbergis.

Landsbergis also stressed that Lithuania was ready to support all steps taken by Germany in order to protect the rules-based global security order, defend Ukraine, and punish the aggressor.

During her official visit to Lithuania, Baerbock will also meet with German troops stationed in Lithuania as part of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Battalion.