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The President in The Hague: Increasing NATO defense budgets is the only effective way to preserve peace

President of the Republic of Lithuania

June 25, 2025

President Gitanas Nausėda participated in the key event of the NATO Summit in The Hague - the meeting of the North Atlantic Council.

In his address to fellow NATO leaders, the President emphasized that, with war ongoing in Europe and Russia planning further confrontation with NATO, the Alliance must increase its defense investments, as this is the only effective means of deterring aggression and preserving peace.

"Tensions are rising in various parts of the world - Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific. To make NATO stronger and capable of deterring aggressors, we must invest significantly more in defense. The previously established target of 2% of GDP is no longer a ceiling or a floor - it is a benchmark of the past. Today, we must commit to allocating 5% of GDP on defense," the President stated.

Gitanas Nausėda underscored that Lithuania is already fulfilling its commitments to the Alliance.

"This year alone, we will allocate 4% of our GDP to defense, and next year - more than 5%. We will maintain this trajectory through 2026-2030. Lithuania is developing a national division while also ensuring the best possible host nation conditions for allied troops stationed in our country," the President said.

He stressed that percentages alone neither deter nor defend. "Percentages must be translated into funding - and funding into real military capabilities. Only then can we feel secure and preserve peace. We must close the gaps in NATO's defense plans and meet capability targets as quickly as possible," the President emphasized.

He reminded participants that, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia is reconstituting its armed forces and ramping up military production.

"Russia is, and will remain, the greatest direct long-term threat to all of us. No ally is immune to its conventional or hybrid arsenal. We must all understand - if one of us is attacked, the entire Alliance is under attack," the Lithuanian leader said.

Addressing NATO leaders, President Nausėda also stressed that Euro-Atlantic security is incomplete without partners.

"Our support for Ukraine's fight for freedom is the best investment in a just and lasting peace. Ukrainians want to - and can - defend their homeland. We must maintain our military assistance to strengthen them on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. It is also important to continue supporting Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. NATO's agreed language remains valid. We look forward to welcoming Ukraine at the NATO table as a full member in the future," President Nausėda said.

The President's Communication Group