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The President: Bolstering our armed forces is one of the strategic priorities for our country

President of the Republic of Lithuania

Januray 28, 2025

On Tuesday, President Gitanas Nausėda attended the ceremony marking the restoration of the 1st Division of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Rukla. The history of the 1st Infantry Division dates back to the era of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as well as 1920, a time when the newly restored independent state of Lithuania fought valiantly for its survival.

"We have waited decades for this moment. Since the restoration of Lithuania's independence, we have patiently built and strengthened our army, unit by unit. We have successfully transitioned to NATO standards and integrated seamlessly into the Alliance. Now, we can take another important step forward. To accelerate modernization, enhance combat capabilities, and improve interoperability with our NATO allies, we are re-establishing a national division as outlined by the State Defense Council in 2023," the President stated.

In his address, the President underscored that bolstering the armed forces is among the nation's most important strategic priorities. He highlighted the recent decision by the State Defense Council to allocate between 5% and 6% of the gross domestic product to national defense as a testament to this commitment. "By decisively increasing defense funding, we will not only achieve the full capacity of the division by 2030 but also create even better conditions for hosting allied troops in Lithuania," Gitanas Nausėda pointed out.

Demonstrating the will to defend ourselves, along with the necessary capabilities, will guarantee a credible deterrent, the Lithuanian leader underlined. We will send a clear message not only to our NATO allies but also to unfriendly powers that Lithuania and its armed forces are fully committed to defending our nation. Moreover, we will continue to set an example for all nations of the world on how to uphold freedom and independence.

The Head of State extended his best wishes to the 1st Division of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, urging them to always perform their duty with honor and wishing them success in defending the Homeland and the entire Alliance.

The President's Communication Group