“I will ask my national defense colleagues to prepare a presentation, because the analysis has been done with possible dates and possible finances, how it might be introduced, how the universal call might look like. I will invite the party leaders to listen to that presentation together and at the same time discuss what options would receive support in the Seimas”, G. Landsbergis told reporters in the Seimas on Thursday.
“I intend to do that in the near future, when we can agree on a date,” he added.
According to the leader of the conservatives, the current discussion in the public space regarding the worsening security situation in the region and the approach of how to respond to it showed that the parties think alike and the position is being formed that a general election is necessary.
“The discussion quite unexpectedly showed that a consensus is forming (on the general call – BNS) or there is hope that it can be formed, despite the fact that the issue is complex and there was no consensus on it for a long time, no consensus was found on the coordination of the latest party agreement,” he said. G. Landsbergis.
According to him, the decision on the introduction of universal conscription can be made quickly, but it will take time to prepare for its implementation.
In addition, according to G. Landsbergis, it is necessary to strengthen the readiness of the active reserve, modernize the armament and perform other works in parallel.
The debate among politicians regarding strengthening defenses is heating up following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has failed to mount a quick successful counterattack this year and experts warn that Moscow’s rebuilding capabilities might increase pressure on NATO in the future.
On Wednesday, the Government of Lithuania approved the changes proposed by the Ministry of National Defense to conscription. As Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas has previously told BNS, the proposed changes create legal prerequisites for the implementation of universal male conscription.
The Seimas will still have to decide on these changes.
According to the minister, if the number of conscripts reached 5,000 per year, the existing resources of the army would be sufficient to train them, so it would not require much additional funding. However, increasing the number of soldiers and implementing universal conscription would require the creation of new military units.
According to A. Anušauskas, in order to call up to 7,000 people to military service per year. youth, four additional battalions need to be created. For that infrastructure, weapons, equipment, regarding 500 million should be allocated within five years. euros.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the full implementation of the general call would take at least six years.
Now, regarding 3.8 thousand people are called up for the nine-month military service every year. young people.
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2024-07-19 06:50:01
