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The President: The Baltic States allocating 3% of their GDP to defense are an example for other NATO members

President of the Republic of Lithuania

December 06, 2024

On Friday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with Estonian President Alar Karis and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs in Klaipėda for a regular annual meeting of the Presidents of the three Baltic States. The three leaders discussed the security situation in the region, support for Ukraine, energy independence and joint infrastructure projects.

At the meeting, the Lithuanian leader emphasized that the main priority for the Baltic States continues to be ensuring security and strengthening defense. Gitanas Nausėda said that Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia need to work together towards the adoption of 3% of GDP as the defense spending target at the next NATO Summit in The Hague. According to the Head of State, this commitment is essential to maintain credible deterrence and defense along NATO's eastern flank and to safeguard the security of the Alliance as a whole.

The Lithuanian leader also emphasized the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and coordinating an allied response to Russia's hybrid attacks.

"Russia is intensifying its kinetic operations and acts of sabotage on NATO territory. This demands concrete, strong, and united responses at both the EU and NATO levels, along with greater efforts to protect critical infrastructure. We need to halt Russia's sabotage campaign in Europe," the President spoke.

The Head of State also stressed the need for the Baltic States to actively promote transatlantic ties and security cooperation with the strategic partner, the United States of America.

According to Gitanas Nausėda, the leadership of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia in mobilizing allied support for Ukraine remains crucial. The President emphasized that Lithuania will continue to provide unwavering support to Ukraine, contributing 0.25% of its GDP annually to military support for Ukraine's fight for freedom.

During his meeting with Latvian and Estonian counterparts, the Lithuanian President also discussed the Baltic countries' energy independence and resilience, stressing that the synchronization of the Baltic States with the electricity grids of continental Europe, set to occur in February next year, will be a vital step toward achieving the region's energy independence.

The President's Communication Group