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The President to NATO Allies: Now is the time for decisive decisions!

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 11, 2023

On Tuesday, President Gitanas Nausėda participated in the first meeting of the NATO Vilnius Summit.

The President noted that already a year ago in Madrid, NATO Allies recognized that the Alliance needed further adaptation to counter the Russian threat and other growing security challenges.

"Today we have gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania, the most exposed region of NATO - at the doorstep of Russia's brutal war in Ukraine. Placed between heavily militarized Kaliningrad and Belarus we are linked to the rest of the Alliance through a very narrow Suwalki corridor. We know how fragile peace and stability can be. And how important leadership and the supporting hand of every Ally is," the President said.

Gitanas Nausėda thanked Germany for its decision to permanently deploy a combat brigade in Lithuania. "This is a necessary element to ensure credible deterrence and defense. To deter, not to fight, is our goal," the President said.

Gitanas Nausėda also expressed gratitude to the United States of America for its continued military presence in Lithuania, as well as to each of the Allies contributing with their troops and capabilities to strengthening the security of Lithuania and the entire eastern flank.

The Lithuanian leader pointed out that the military integration of Belarus and Russia is growing, that nuclear weapons are being deployed in Belarus, and that Wagner mercenaries may be relocated close to the NATO borders.

"NATO's new regional defense plans are an important element boosting NATO's readiness to defend every inch of Allied territory from the first minute of aggression. But the plans mean little if they are not resourced properly. We need to join forces to ensure that these plans are in place by the end of the year," the President said.

The President underlined that the war in Ukraine once again proved the importance of air defense. It is very significant that the Allies agreed to a rotational model of air defense in the Baltic region. This should be the first step in building up a NATO air defense shield. The Lithuanian leader also welcomed the renewed defense investment pledge with 2 percent of GDP for defense as the new minimum.

Welcoming Finland, which is attending the NATO Summit for the first time as a full member, the President expressed his strong belief that Sweden will be soon joining the NATO family.

"We should also help Ukraine to join the transatlantic family as soon as possible. The Bucharest Summit decision has stayed for fifteen years now. But we did not take any real steps to implement it. Decisions must be implemented, and promises must be kept," the President said.

Gitanas Nausėda pointed out that the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council and lifting the requirement for a Membership Action Plan are important and welcome steps on Ukraine's path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

"Here in Vilnius, we should make it clear that Ukraine's future lies in NATO. We need to define a clear pathway for Ukraine to membership. Until we invite Ukraine to join the Alliance, we will continue to spread messages of uncertainty and strategic hesitation that have already cost us dearly in the past. The longer we hesitate to invite Ukraine, the more we are delaying the end of the war," the President said.

Gitanas Nausėda stressed that unresolved problems or delayed solutions only lead to bigger crises or even war. "Now is the time for decisive and bold decisions," the President said.

The President's Communication Group