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In a letter to NATO, the leaders of Lithuania, Poland and Latvia warn about the threat posed by developments in Belarus.

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 07, 2023

President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania, President Andrzej Duda of Poland, and President Egils Levits of Latvia addressed a letter to the NATO Secretary General and to the Heads of State and Government of the Alliance, urging them to take action to counter the threats posed by Russia's aggressive actions and the evolving situation in Belarus.

In their letter, the three leaders emphasized that cooperation between Russia and Belarus has deteriorated the security of the region and that of the entire Euro-Atlantic area. The Belarusian territory and its resources have been used by Russia in its illegal and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, which demonstrates the increasingly closer military integration between the two countries.

"Its recent manifestation has been the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus. It presents an escalatory move in the context of the war in Ukraine and a direct threat to the security of our community. This is yet another flagrant violation of the NATO-Russia Framework Act and a living proof that this document is no longer in force," reads the letter from the leaders of Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia.

The three leaders also pointed out that the relocation of the Russian Wagner Group mercenaries and their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to Belarus would generate risks for the political stability in Belarus and in consequence a potential loss of control over conventional and nuclear weapons.

According to the Presidents of Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia, the arrival of Prigozhin's mercenary group in Belarus after the failed coup in Russia could also serve as an incentive for Belarus to resume its efforts to trigger a new wave of mass migration and a humanitarian crisis on the EU's borders.

"Today, ahead of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, we need solidarity and unity to counter all threats in line with the 360-degree principle. Including those brought about by the recent developments in Belarus. We must show Russia that we see and understand them and that we are ready to use all possible means to counter them," reads the letter from the Presidents of Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia.

The three leaders also note that the Belarusian nation needs a clear message from NATO to the people of Belarus that a democratic, stable and prosperous Belarus, not subdued by Russia and exploited by the Kremlin's infighting, is important to the Alliance.

"The actions that we propose will not only improve allied security but will also correspond with the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian nation. Our course of actions should comprise 1) review of nuclear deterrence and its adaptation to new realities, 2) inclusion in the military adaptation of conventional threats emanating from Belarus, 3) filling army pre-positioned stocks on the eastern flank, 4) raising defense spending beyond 2 percent of GDP and aligning it with NATO priorities, 5) increasing allied resilience against hybrid threats," reads the joint letter from the leaders of Lithuania, Poland, Latvia.