Army representative: the security situation in Lithuania has not changed

According to him, this was confirmed by military analysts.

“They (army analysts – BNS) said that the situation has not changed, especially recently,” G. Valintėlis told LRT television on Saturday.

He says that the previous army’s assessment that Russia interferes in the internal affairs of neighboring countries has not changed, but its more active actions are not seen in the region.

“Russia continues to interfere in the internal affairs of neighboring countries, Russia continues to ignore agreements, continues the war in Ukraine, but we do not see an increase in any of these actions in the region, military exercises are not as large-scale as they used to be, so it can be said that the situation has not changed,” he said G. Valintelis.

A military spokesman says defense plans are being updated in response to changes in the region.

“Also speaking of the situation in the region, we should be happy that Finland has joined NATO, there are newly revised defense plans, newly approved,” said G. Valintėlis.

The commander of the Lithuanian army, General Valdemaras Rupšys, says that the country’s current defense plan foresees the possibility of quick response to threats, the available support of the allies.

“Today’s defense plan is already arranged in such a way that we know how to react from the first signal and are ready for it, we are demonstrating that today as well,” said V. Rupšys during the parade held in Vilnius on Saturday to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the restoration of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

“I am authorized to convey to you the message of the soldiers: as we are here today, we would defend all our families, homes and Lithuania if necessary. (…) Soldiers of other countries, aircraft carriers, planes, missiles, powerful ammunition are today’s invisible force, a force that would ensure an appropriate response,” said the army commander.

Soldiers and military equipment of the Lithuanian army and NATO allies take part in the parade in the capital’s Konstitucijos Avenue.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda claims that the country’s defense was further strengthened by the decisions made during the NATO summit held in Vilnius in July.

“The historic NATO summit held in Lithuania once again confirmed: we are an important part of the most powerful Alliance in the history of the world. Decisions made in Vilnius regarding the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank, new regional defense plans and rotational air defense ensure that Lithuania’s territory will be defended from the first moment if necessary. Together. Maximally efficient”, said G. Nausėda, who observed the line-up and the parade.

The President also stated that the defense of the state is not only the responsibility of the soldiers, but also of society: “In the face of many threats, the most important thing is that the defense of the state should be a common concern of all of us, citizens of Lithuania.”

This week, the chairman of the Fatherland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, urged to prepare for the scenario that Russia, which is not stopped in Ukraine, will continue the fight against NATO countries and emphasizes that Lithuania needs to take strategic decisions to strengthen its security.

He also urged not to succumb to apathy thinking that Lithuania will be defended by the fifth article of NATO and urged to think about strategic changes in its defense.

According to him, the support given to Ukraine may not be enough to win against Russia and it may rebuild its forces for a new offensive in a few years.