As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, Lithuania, which borders the exclave of Kaliningrad, home to a Russian Naval base, remains on high alert. Are we next in line for invasion? The strong apprehensions of the populace have been communicated to Gifu Prefecture, which maintains close ties with Russia. (Taku Ikeuchi)
The Connection Between Lithuania and Gifu is “Visas for Life”
Gifu Prefecture has strengthened its relationship with Lithuania ever since the “Visas for Life” initiative by Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986), a diplomat with connections to the prefecture who saved numerous Jewish lives at the former Japanese Consulate in Kaunas, Lithuania, during World War II.
Gifu University has also established agreements with Kaunas University of Technology and Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, and since 2021, it has begun offering “Lithuanian Studies” courses to introduce Lithuanian culture and history.
◆ Soldiers in the Hotel, a Tense Atmosphere… What Researchers Felt on the Ground
Professor Tetsuya Mori (53), from the Faculty of Engineering, who will be teaching the course, has been engaging with local residents since his assignment at Kaunas University of Technology from 2010 to 2011.
Shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, I received an email from a friend in Lithuania stating, “We must help Ukraine.” Since then, I have felt that “many Lithuanians do not have a favorable impression of Russia.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in September 2023
He visited Kaunas in March of last year. The hotel where he stayed was filled with military personnel, creating a tense atmosphere. “Because we share a border, I sensed people’s wariness of Russia,” he shared.
A Man Who Joined the Volunteer Army: “I Wanted to Protect the People I Care About”
“If Lithuania were to be annexed by Russia, I would have nothing left. I wanted to protect my beloved family and friends.”
When I spoke online through Professor Mori to Edgaras Puozukas (30), an engineer residing in Kaunas, he conveyed his sense of urgency directly to me.
Edgaras Puojukas talks about his feelings about joining the Lithuanian Volunteer Defence Forces
Puozukas volunteered to serve in the Lithuanian Volunteer Defense Corps (KASP) for eight years, from 2013 to 2021. This organization supports the Lithuanian military, with around 5,000 members aged between 18 and 60 receiving military training on weekends to be prepared for emergencies or disasters. Puozukas also participated in training during his free time between university classes and work.
What shocked Puozukas was Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine in 2014. “I can’t believe that in this day and age, a country can annex another country’s territory by force.”
Lithuania was under the control of the former Soviet Union until it declared independence in 1990. Following the annexation of Crimea, Lithuania decided to reinstate conscription in 2015. “At the time, there was some opposition from students, but increasingly more people began to support strengthening national defense,” Puozukas recalled.
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◆ Ambassador to Japan: “If We Don’t Let Ukraine Win, the Price Will Be High”
“The world has changed since the invasion of Ukraine,” Aurelius Zykas, the Lithuanian ambassador to Japan (45), emphasized in an interview with the Tokyo Shimbun.
Ambassador Zykas, a former academic, studied Japanese culture at Kanazawa University and Waseda University and taught at a university in Kaunas. Initially opposed to the trend of strengthening the military in his home country, he changed his perspective after Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008, its annexation of Crimea, and its invasion of Ukraine.
Ambassador Aurelijus Zikas of Lithuania to Japan speaks about Lithuania’s aim to strengthen its defense capabilities at the Lithuanian Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward.
“If we do not allow Ukraine to win now, the world will pay a heavy price later.” This small Baltic state, with a population of about 2.8 million, is deepening its cooperative relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which it joined in 2004 along with Estonia and Latvia, while increasing its support for Ukraine. Increased defense spending, in response to NATO’s requests, is part of this strategy.
◆ “It Will Be Difficult for Lithuania to Defend Itself Alone”
According to the Lithuanian Embassy in Japan, Lithuania’s defense budget for this year is 2 billion euros (approximately 348 billion yen), which constitutes 2.7% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), but is expected to increase to 3% by the end of December.
In light of the Russian threat, Ambassador Zika stated, “If an emergency were to occur, it would be difficult for Lithuania to defend itself on its own. Given the small size of our country, we have an even greater need to contribute to NATO.”
Lithuania on High Alert Amid the Ukraine Crisis: A Deep Dive into the Baltic State’s Defense Strategy
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, Lithuania, which borders the exclave of Kaliningrad housing the Russian Navy base, remains on high alert. Concerns among the populace regarding potential aggression have heightened, especially in regions with historical ties to Russia, such as Gifu Prefecture in Japan.
The Connection Between Lithuania and Gifu: “Visas for Life”
Gifu Prefecture has actively cultivated its relationship with Lithuania since the era of Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986), a diplomat who saved numerous Jewish lives during World War II at the Japanese consulate in Kaunas, Lithuania. This historical bond is symbolized by the “Visas for Life” initiative.
Moreover, Gifu University has signed collaboration agreements with both Kaunas University of Technology and Vytautas Magnus University. Since 2021, it has introduced “Lithuanian Studies” courses aimed at familiarizing students with Lithuanian culture and history.
Soldiers in Hotels: A Tense Atmosphere in Lithuania
Professor Tetsuya Mori from the Faculty of Engineering has been closely involved with Kaunas since 2010. Following the Ukrainian invasion, he received a heartfelt message from a Lithuanian friend, underscoring their determination to support Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in September 2023
Mori noted a significant military presence in hotels during his visit to Kaunas last March. The local populace exuded a palpable wariness towards Russia, stemming from the shared border and recent history.
Voices of Concern: A Lithuanian Volunteer Army
In a candid online exchange facilitated by Professor Mori, Edgaras Puozukas, a 30-year-old engineer from Kaunas, shared his emotional journey of joining the Lithuanian Volunteer Defense Forces. “If Lithuania were annexed by Russia, I would have nothing left. I wanted to protect my precious family and friends,” he expressed.
Edgaras Puojukas discusses his experiences in the Lithuanian Volunteer Defense Forces.
The Volunteer Defense Force: A Commitment to National Security
Puozukas served in the Lithuanian Volunteer Defense Corps (KASP) for eight years, participating in military training on weekends. The organization’s mission is to bolster the Lithuanian military, with training emphasizing preparedness for emergencies.
His pivotal moment came after witnessing Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. “In today’s world, it’s shocking that a nation can seize another’s territory by force,” he remarked. The haunting memories of Lithuania’s past under Soviet control have heightened the urgency for national defense.
A Diplomat’s Perspective: Lithuania’s Stance on Ukraine
Aurelius Zykas, the Lithuanian ambassador to Japan, shed light on the changing geopolitical landscape in an interview. “The world has changed since the invasion of Ukraine,” he emphasized. Zykas, whose academic roots lie in Japanese culture, acknowledges that global security dynamics have shifted dramatically.
Ambassador Aurelius Zikas of Lithuania speaks about the nation’s defense policies.
Zykas firmly believes, “If we don’t let Ukraine win now, the world will pay a heavy price later.” Lithuania, with a population of approximately 2.8 million, is fortifying its alliances with NATO, which it joined alongside Estonia and Latvia in 2004.
Defense Budgets and International Cooperation
Responding to NATO’s calls for increased defense spending, Lithuania’s defense budget is set at €2 billion (roughly ¥348 billion) for the current year, equating to 2.7% of its GDP, with expectations to raise it to 3% by year-end.
Charting Lithuania’s Military Enhancement Initiatives
| Year | Defense Budget (in Euros) | Percentage of GDP |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.56 billion | 2.1% |
| 2022 | 1.75 billion | 2.4% |
| 2023 | 2 billion | 2.7% |
| Projected 2024 | 2.4 billion | 3% |
Ambassador Zykas emphasizes the collective need for security: “If an emergency were to occur, it would be difficult for Lithuania to defend itself on its own. Given the small size of our country, we have an even greater need to contribute to NATO.”
