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The President: A strong eastern border must become a priority for the entire EU

President of the Republic of Lithuania

October 23, 2025

President Gitanas Nausėda, speaking at the European Council meeting on Thursday, called for greater EU focus on the security of its eastern border.

"For some time now, Russia has been waging a hybrid war against Europe, consisting of cyberattacks, disinformation, instrumentalized illegal migration, and acts of sabotage. It is now also testing us with military drones and fighter jets," the President said.

According Gitanas Nausėda, Russia's actions pose an increasing threat to all EU member states - therefore, the European Union must respond in a united, strong and decisive manner.

The President expressed Lithuania's strong support for the European Commission's European Defense Readiness Plan 2030, which includes key preparedness initiatives such as European drone defense, eastern flank monitoring, and European air and space shields.

Teh President underlined that implementing the Defense Readiness Plan will require sufficient EU funding - both under the current and the next multiannual financial framework - as well as higher national defense spending, as agreed at the NATO level. Lithuania is already making substantial investments in strengthening the EU's and NATO's eastern border, including through the Baltic Defense Line project. However, the country still faces shortages in air and counter-drone defense systems, artillery capabilities, ammunition, as well as military mobility and counter-mobility capacities.

"The EU's eastern flank is the first line of defense against threats posed by Russia and Belarus. The commitment to strengthen the EU's eastern border must be endorsed at the EU level. The defense of the eastern border must become a priority for Europe's overall defense readiness," the President said.

At the European Council meeting, President Nausėda also emphasized the importance of military mobility for the Baltic States, which are connected to Western Europe through the Suwałki corridor.

The President's Communication Group